The kwara State Government at the weekend ordered stoppage of work on the on-going construction of a three-storey Hotel building located at Government Residential Area (GRA), Ilorin for allegedly flouting regulations guiding erection of commercial buildings in the state.

The State Executive Secretary, Town Planning and Development Authority (TPDA), Mr. AbdulRaheem Adeoti, who gave the order during an on-the-spot assessment of  the construction, said the closure of the hotel became necessary because the proprietor failed to secure necessary documents before he converted the property for commercial purpose.

Adeoti, who lamented that illegal conversion of properties for commercial purposes was prevalent in GRA, said the latest clamp down would serve as deterrent to others who might wish to indulge in the act, adding that government would not condone illegality in the name of development.

“We sealed the hotel because the owner has violated the rule guiding construction in GRA.

“While the construction has been going on for over two years the proprietor did not allow free access by monitoring agents until recently when it was discovered that the building is to serve as a hotel. The purpose of the structure has become a public knowledge, hence government’s decision to wield the big stick.

“We eventually entered through an existing building called Millennium Hotel owned by the same person. Residents of the area are no more secure with that three storey-building as a hotel. Their privacy would no more be guaranteed. We are not going to allow a hotel of that nature in the GRA”, Adeoti observed.

He, therefore, advised the owner of the structure to report to the state TPDA for proper documentation and assessment of the land, saying that it would reveal whether the structure could be allowed or be removed.