The Kwara State Government yesterday ordered work to be stopped on a three-storey hotel at the Government Residential Area (GRA) in Ilorin, the state capital.

The Executive Secretary, Town Planning and Development Authority (TPDA), AbdulRaheem Adeoti, gave the order during an on-the-spot assessment of the work.

Adeoti said the proprietor of the hotel failed to obtain the necessary documents before he started converting the property to commercial purpose.

He said the latest clamp down will serve as a deterrent.

Adeoti said the government would not condone illegality in the name of development.

The director said construction was on for more than two years, and the proprietor allowed monitoring agents access recently, when it was discovered that the building would serve as a hotel.

"The purpose of the structure has become a public knowledge, hence government's decision to wield the big stick.

"Residents of the area no longer feel safe. Their privacy will not be guaranteed anymore.

"We are not going to allow a hotel of that nature in the GRA,'' Adeoti said.

He advised the owner of the structure to report to the TPDA for proper documentation and assessment.