The management of Enyimba Radio and Television Limited, Aba, Abia state, has decried the sealing of her office complex by agents of Abia Government officials, explaining that the ongoing building project on its premises is an office complex not a hotel, contrary to a statement by the state government.
The state government had insisted that the Aba North Planning Authority had on several occasions served Enyimba FM all the legal notices requesting them to comply with relevant development control laws, but the station failed to comply.
Consequently, the Aba North Town Planning Authority sealed the ongoing building on Oron street, GRA, Aba, alleging that the station had failed to present approval documents and comply with building regulations in the State.
The Station Manager, Michael Oni stated that the station got the building approval from the state government and had complied with all the building regulations and wondered why the government would seal the ongoing building.
He disclosed that work on the new office building had advanced before the fire incident that burnt the station in November.
Oni insisted that Enyimba FM is a good corporate citizen and doesn’t have any issue with the state government despite misrepresentations from the Aba North town planning authority.
On the issue of the station building a four storey hotel in a Government Reserved Area, Oni denied that the new building is a four storey hotel.
He, however, stated that there are many four-storey buildings erected in the area, one of which was recently commissioned by Governor Alex Otti.
Meanwhile, the state government through a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said Enyimba FM has refused to tender approvals they got for the building and has continued to build despite warnings.
Government also denied that security agents assaulted journalists from the station.
“The developers promised to tender documents to certify compliance of laid down protocols to no avail. They, instead, continued with the building project.
“On three occasions, the site was sealed as required by law (but) the developers, unlawfully, went ahead to remove government seals and continued their work, an offense punishable by law.
“The question is, why are they not able to produce required documents to show compliance with development control requirements?”
Ekeoma wondered why the owners are developing a commercial building with 4- floors in a residential neighborhood within the Aba GRA.
