Oyo State Government on Monday justified the demolition of the N800 million Yinka Ayefele’s Music House, insisting that the survey contravenes town planning laws.
Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, director general, Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control, Waheed Gbadamosi said the exercise was carried out after all efforts to see the owner effect the necessary changes failed.
The director general who noted that the Music House was not the only building that was affected, said the submitted building approval was actually meant for an office complex and not a radio station.
This, he explained contravened the state physical planning and development control laws by deviating from the approved plan which in effect, “makes the approval bill and void because deceitful information were given to the approving authority and also deviation from the approval granted both in construction and use”.
According to him, during a physical site inspection to ascertain the extent of the deviation from the approval, adding that, “it was discovered that apart from the change in use of the building, spatial standards in terms of setback, airspace and parking spaces were found to be grossly inadequate.
“In view of the above, a letter was sent to the radio house on the 29th of June, 2018 to submit a fresh building plan application that will reflect the existing structure on site. The radio house deliberately ignored the letter as there was no response from their end till date.
“The deviant posture of the radio house prompted the Bureau to serve a three-day demolition notice on the 13th August, 2018 which is expected to expire on the 5th of August, 2018,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yinka Ayefele the owner of Music House has cautions fans and sympathizers against any act of violence in protest against the demolition of part of the Music House in Ibadan.
In a short broadcast on Sunday, the Ipoti Ekiti music icon called for calm, saying “If you truly love Yinka Ayefele, please don’t engage in any form of violence because of what happened.
”If the Music House is pull down Fresh F.M continues, since we didn’t go against the law and ethics of media practices and we didn’t abuse government, let us leave the rest for God he will handle the situation.
“Please don’t destroy government properties especially the Ajumose bus parked in front of the Music House, they knew why they put it there please don’t torch it, let it be.”
He thanked Oyo State Government particularly the state’s Commissioners for Information, Culture and Tourism “for masterminding the plot against Fresh F.M.
Ayefele however urged Fresh FM’s staff not to be deterred by what happened but summon courage and move on.
