Kwara State government has put on hold the implementation of the controversial Urbanisation Law 2009, which empowers the state government to acquire lands in the public interest.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed announced the suspension in Ilorin, via a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Dr Femi Akorede, citing people’s opposition to the law as the reason for the suspension.

He said government decided to allow the state lawmakers to review the law in the interest of the people, adding that the Ministry of Housing and the Bureau of Land had been directed to stop implementing the law, pending its review by the lawmakers.

According to the governor, members of the public should not entertain any fear and misgiving about the law since the lawmakers will review the law before its application. He said his administration was willing to suspend the law in order to give room for contributions from major stakeholders on the government land policy.