The Edo State Development and Building Control Agency has intensified its enforcement operations across the state, demolishing more than 500 illegal structures in Ugbor and Etete areas of the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin City.

The exercise forms part of the state government’s broader urban renewal and regulatory compliance strategy aimed at promoting orderly development and safer communities.

According to the agency, the demolition targets unauthorised shanties, unsafe buildings, and structures erected without approved planning permissions, many of which violated existing building regulations.

Established under the 2022 Edo State building control law, the agency is responsible for approving building plans, monitoring construction activities, and ensuring full compliance with physical planning standards across the state.

Speaking in Benin City, the General Manager of the agency, Hon. Igabali Imoisili Darlington, said the operation aligns with the government’s SHINE agenda, particularly its focus on infrastructure development and sustainable urban growth.

He explained that enforcement efforts are not limited to Benin City but extend to Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts as part of a statewide compliance framework.

Darlington noted that the agency inherited significant challenges, including weak regulatory compliance and low public trust, which initially limited development control effectiveness.

However, he said recent reforms have improved compliance levels significantly, with registered building approvals increasing by over 200 percent.

He added that monthly building plan approvals are expected to rise further as public awareness and trust continue to improve, projecting between 500 and 1,000 approvals monthly.

The agency also introduced a regularisation programme for property owners with undocumented structures, allowing them to obtain proper approvals and improve property value while ensuring safety compliance.

Darlington stressed that proper documentation remains essential for urban safety, environmental protection, and sustainable infrastructure planning.

On recent enforcement actions, he confirmed that over 500 illegal structures were removed in Ugbor, while additional demolitions were carried out in Etete, where buildings, makeshift factories, and religious structures erected under power lines were cleared.

He further stated that the agency has encountered some resistance from communities but maintained that enforcement will continue without political interference, as the government prioritises public safety and environmental order.

The Edo State Government reiterated its commitment to restoring urban planning discipline and ensuring that all developments align with approved physical planning standards.

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……Land to Be Restored for Benin Central Hospital

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has annulled the Certificate of Occupancy previously granted to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) by former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

The revocation, issued in a directive dated October 21, was justified by the governor as being in the “overriding public interest.” The action invokes the powers conferred on him under Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978, now known as the Land Use Act.

Governor Okpebholo noted that the land formerly allocated to the Edo Museum of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE would be reclaimed by the state and restored to its original function as the Benin Central Hospital.

In response, MOWAA clarified misunderstandings about its mission and activities in Benin City. Through its Director, Mr. Phillip Ihenacho, the museum emphasized its respect and reverence for Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting West Africa’s cultural heritage.

The museum also dismissed claims that it misrepresented itself as the “Benin Royal Museum” to secure funding, urging donors to verify directly that no such misrepresentation occurred. Director of the MOWAA Institute, Ore Disu, reiterated that the institution remains devoted to maintaining a respectful relationship with the Benin monarchy while continuing its cultural initiatives.

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The Environmental Taskforce in Edo State on Saturday arrested 50 persons in Benin for violating sanitation laws.

The new NSCDC Commandant, Mr. Saidi Akintayo, led the operation across areas including Sapele Road, Ekiosa Market, Siloko Road, and New Benin Market.

Akintayo said the exercise was to enforce compliance with the state’s monthly sanitation directive and promote a clean, healthy environment. He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to supporting government efforts on environmental hygiene and public health.

The suspects were arraigned before a mobile court at the Egor Local Government Secretariat.

Oredo Council Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Idusere, who joined the exercise, commended residents for their cooperation and assured that measures had been put in place for prompt refuse evacuation.

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In a bold move to address Edo State’s mounting environmental challenges, Governor Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday inaugurated Barrister Blessing Agbomhere as Chairman of the Edo State Ecological Funding and Management Commission, charging him with leading a strategic, multi-sectoral response to the state’s ecological crises.

The appointment comes amid growing concerns over gully erosion, land degradation, flooding, and climate-induced threats across the state. Governor Okpebholo, speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Benin City, emphasized his administration’s commitment to long-term environmental restoration and resilience.

“Our state has endured significant ecological damage over the years,” the governor said. “With this new team, I am confident we will deliver lasting relief to vulnerable communities. Barrister Agbomhere has the competence, courage, and network to attract both local and international collaboration for effective interventions.”

The governor called on the commission to engage with national environmental agencies, development partners, and multilateral institutions to secure funding and technical assistance for sustainable solutions. He underscored the urgency of implementing policies that prioritise environmental sustainability and community welfare.

In his remarks, Agbomhere expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him, pledging to serve with dedication, transparency, and impact.

“I am deeply honored by this responsibility,” he said. “We will work tirelessly to justify the governor’s confidence and improve the quality of life for the people of Edo through meaningful, science-backed ecological interventions.”

Agbomhere also reaffirmed his commitment to aligning with the state’s development agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, which identifies environmental protection as a national priority.

A seasoned legal practitioner and former Director of Corporate, Intergovernmental and Strategic Commerce at the African Bar Association, Agbomhere is widely respected in the fields of natural resources law, marine policy, and institutional reform.

Also sworn in at the ceremony were Hon. Felix Ibhade (Executive Director of Projects), Mrs. Ivie Uwaifo (Executive Director of Administration), and Mrs. Khadija Yusuf (Executive Director of Finance), alongside 21 commissioners and senior officials appointed to various state agencies.

The new appointments are seen as part of a broader effort by the Okpebholo administration to strengthen governance capacity and address long-standing ecological vulnerabilities across Edo State.

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