The Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, has announced the immediate suspension of Emmanuel Dimkpa, Chairman of the Special Committee Team C on Verification of Building Plans and Development Control of the Ministry.

According to a statement signed by Emeka Idika Kalu, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Commissioner, Dimkpa’s suspension is due to alleged gross misconduct, including unnecessary harassment of developers and other members of the public with the intent of extorting them.

The commissioner warned that Dimkpa’s actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the ministry.

He also cautioned that anyone who deals with Dimkpa does so at their own risk, as he is not a staff member of the Ministry but was only engaged on an ad-hoc basis.

Consequently, members of the Special Committee Team C on Verification of Building Plans and Development Control of the Ministry have been directed to relate with the office of the commissioner following Dimkpa’s suspension.

Bipi reiterated that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, under his watch, will not condone any form of harassment, intimidation, or extortion of the public by any of its Special Committees or Taskforces.

He noted that the suspension is expected to serve as a deterrent to other Special Committees and Taskforces of the Ministry that engage in unlawful actions and unethical behaviour, which could tarnish the image of the ministry.