Kwara Geographic Information Service Law, 2020

que .. KWA.RA GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICE LAW, 2020 I assent this / ?day of Oc~ 2020 ABDULRAH Governor, Kwara State of Nigeria. Kwara State of Nigeria Law No. of 2020 ARRANGEMENTOFSECTIONS PARTI ESTABUSHMENT, INCORPORATION, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE SERVICE 1. Establishment and Incorporation of the Service. 2. Objectives of the Service . 3. Functions of the Service. 4. Powers of the Service. PART II GOVERNlNG BOARD OF THE SERVICE s. Establishment and composition of the Governing Board. 6. Powers of the Board. 7. Directives by the Governor. 8. Functions of the Board. 9. Departments of the Service. 10. Tenure of Board members. 11. Cessation of office. 12. Removal from office and vacancy. 13. Remuneration of Board members. 14. Meetings of the Board. 15. Standing and ad-hoc Committees. 2 16. Power to co-opt. 17. Validity of Proceedings. 18. Quorum. 19. Disclosure of interest by Board members. 20. Voting. PART ID MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE SERVICE 21. Office of the Executive Chairman. 22. Functions of the Executive Chairman. 23. Removal of the Executive Chairman. 24. Appointment and functions of Administrative secretary. 25. Appointment and functions of Legal officer. 26. Staff of the Service. 27. Staff Regulations. PART IV ACQUISITION OF LAND AND COMPENSATION • 28. Power to acquire land. 29. Facilitation and execution of operative development plan. PARTV FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 30. Fund of the Service. 31. Annual estimates and accounts. 32. Annual Report .. PARTVI GENERAL PROVISIONS 33. Gifts and donations. 34. Right of access to Information. 35. Regulations. 36. Limitation of suits. 37. Common seal. 38. Savings. 3 39. Repeal. 40. Interpretation. 41. Citation. 4 A LAW TO ESTABLISH THE KWARA GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICE AND FOR CONNECrED PURPOSES The Kwara State House of Assembly enacts: PART I ( \ ) ESTABLISHMENT, INCORPORATION, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE SERVICE 1. (1) There is established the Kwara Geographic Information Service (in this Law referred to as the "Service"). (2) The Servlce- (a) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a Common seal; (b) may sue or be sued in its own name; and (c) may acquire, hold or dispose of any property or Interest In property, movable or Immovable for the purpose of canylng out its functions under this Law. (3) Toe Service shall be a parastatal In the office of the Governor. Date of Commencement. EstabrlShme,t and - lncOfJ)Oratkln of Ille Service. s 2. The objectives of the Service are to administer and manage land, and building matters in the State Including all issues relating to title, regtstration, searches, physical planning and urban development and such other responsibilities as may be determined by the Governor. 3. The functions of the Service are- (a) to process and issue all development permit in the State subject to the provisions of this Law and regulations made under this Law; {b) to receive, conduct due diligence on, and verify applications for issuance of Rights of OcOJpancy for land or grant of other rights over land or subsequent transaction in lands within the State; (c) to develop and maintain a database of all land within the State particularly with respect to title history, location, size, use and other related data; (d) to Introduce, Implement and sustain best practices for·land ownership and title certification in the State; (e) to maintain database of all development permit applications granted, rejected or withdrawn and publication of the list in the Gazette; (f) to permit access to existing data on land for the purpose of conducting title searches for members of the public at a fee to be prescribed from time to time by the Service in consonance with other related Laws; (g) to prepare and periodically review the following Physical Development Plans - Objecllves ol Ille Service.. Funalons or tt,e Service. (i) District Plans, (Ii) Development Guide Plans, (iii) Town Plans, (iv) Local Plans, (h) to prepare and review physical planning regulations; 6 (i) to provide technical assistance to all Government Ministries and Agencies on matters relating to physical planning, urban regeneration and development control; O) to determine the locations of infrastructural facilities and centres of economic activity in the State; (k) to offer advice on State development projects and programmes with socioeconomic and environmental impacts as may be referred to it from time to time; (I) to regulate the location, positioning, dimensions, appearance, display and manner in which urban furniture will be affixed to land in the State; (m) to enforce building control regulations; (n) to regulate and inspect building works and certification of various stages of building construction and keeping of such records; (o) to control all forms of Illegal development; (p) to remove illegal and non-conforming structures; (q) to identify and remove distressed buildings to prevent collapse; (r) to issue certificate of completion and fitness for habitation; (s) to provide building services such as material evaluation and testing, fire and public health control; 7 (t) to conduct research in building construction, maintenance and control; (u) to establish Local Development Control Department Offices in cooperation with the Local Governments for the discharge of its functions at the Local Government level with the approval of the Governor on the recommendation of the Governing Board; (v) to undertake such other activities as may be required for the efficient management and administration of land matters and other related data In the State; (w) to engage in stakeholder consultations, enllghtenment and publi.city on the activities of the Service; (x) to exercise other functions as may be conferred on It by regulations made under this Law; and (y) to develop and maintain a geospatial information system or such appropriate system and structures In the State for research and land management and the Service may subject to the approval of the Government by an Order published in the Gazette, make regulations for the effective operation of the Law and the due administration thereof. 4. The Service shall have power to - (a) acquire, provide, deploy and manage software and hardware for storing, assembling, manipulating and displaying geospatial reference material; Powers of the Se.Nice. 8 (b) establish a central geospatial Information clearing house and set standards in relation to the quality and format of geospatial Information; (c) plan, establish and manage a directory of geospatial Information and the resources available within the State; (d) coordinate geospatial Information system projects, including overseeing the development and maintenance of base maps and geospatial Information systems throughout the State; (e) provide consultancy services and technical assistance, education and training on the application and use of geospatial information technologies; (f) maintain, update, and interpret geographic Information and geospatial information systems; (g) provide geospatial Information services, as requested, to persons wishing to augment their geospatlal information systems capacities upon payment of the prescribed fees; (h) In cooperation with other relevant agencies of government, evaluate, participate in pilot studies, make recommendations on geospatlal Information system hardware and software; (I) provide staff support and technical assistance to all le.vels of Government on geospatlal information system and policies; • • 9 (j) coordinate and provide overview of geospatial information systems activities throughout the State; (k) review and submit to the Governor for approval, all proposed geospatial Information systems projects in the State; (I) pursue funding strategies to continually develop and maintain up-to-date geospatial information systems solutions for the entire State; (m) provide technical support to assist other agencies of the government or other persons who wish to incorporate geospatial information systems capabilities in their activities and systems; (n) charge such fees as are appropriate for its services and inconsonance with other related Laws; (o) grant changes on any immovable property; (p) undertake all other steps and initiatlves as are required for the proper administration of this Law throughout the State; and (q) Procure within its budgetary limit, any property or service it may require for the effective discharge of its functions under this Law or terminate any such service. PART II GOVERNING BOARD OF THE SERVICE 5. (l) There Is established for the Service a Governing Board (in this Law referred as the Board) consisting of - (a) a Chairman who shall be the Chief Executive Officer with a minimum of ten years cognate experience In town planning, surveying, land administration, Estate Surveying and Valuation; (b) the Administrative Secretary; ( c) the Legal Officer of the Service; (d) Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Geographic Information Service (GIS), Physical Planning and Urban development. (e) three members, one each from the three Senatorial Districts in the State with a minimum of ten years cognate experience in Public Service or Private Sector or both and one of whom shall be a woman; (f) one representative from each of the following Ministries/ Agencies not below the rank of a Director who shall be ex­ officio member - (i) Office of the Secretary to the State Government, (Ii) Ministry of Finance and Planning, (ifl) Ministry of Environment, (iv) Ministry of Justice, (v) Ministry of Local Government (vi) Ministry of Agriculture, and Establlshmen! and composltk>n ot ~ Gov1!minglloatd. 11 (vii) Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS); (g) an expert with geographic information system technical know-how with minimum of five years cognate experience; and (h) a registered professlonal in architecture/town planning or civil/building engineering with a minimum of ten years post­ professlonal registration experience; (i) all members of the Board must be indigenes of Kwara. (2) All members shall be part-time except the Executive Chairman, Administrative Secretary and Legal Officer. 6. The Board shall have power to - (1) do all things which by this Bill or any other enactment or administrative directive are required or permitted to be done by the Board; (2) delegate its power to any member or official and authorize any such member to perform any of its functions of the Seivice, subject to any limitation imposed by law; (3) from time to time, borrow, by way of overdraft or otherwise, such sums as it may require for the effective discharge of its functions under this Law; ( 4) appoint, promote and discipline the Staff of the Seivice as may appear to it necessary or expedient; ( 5) consider the resignation or withdrawal of appointment of Staff of the Service; (6) investigate and decide on- Powers of the Bo6rd. 12 (a) all public complaints concerning decisions on development permit applications, development plans, layouts or schemes, change of use, approval-In-principle, demolition, conduct or planning or development control officials and service of notices, and (b j disputes arising from compensation or other matters affecting physical planning and development; and building control in the State; (7) invite any member of the public induding officials in carrying out its investigation for the purpose of obtaining information or advice; (8) call for documents, plans, schemes and Oles In the course of its Investigation; (9) recommend the suspension of further physical development activities In a building site or premises, the subject of investigation; (10) Enter any building, site or premises that Is the subject of Investigation; (11) periodically review Service policies and strategies for the attainment of an efficient geospatial data, infrastructure and land administrative system in the State and provide direction and general guidance to the Director General; (12) discuss and make recommendation on all geospatial activities of the Service; {13) make regulations determining the forms and contents of Physical • Development Plans In the-State; 13 (14) make regulations on the recommendations of the Service for the regulation of building standards and any matter incidental to it; and (1.S) review charges for services rendered from time to time which shall be published in the Gazette and charges shall be inconsonance with other related Laws. 7. (1) Subject to the provision of this Law, the Governor may give to the Service and Governing Board such directives that is general or specific in nature relating to particular functions and It shall be the duty of the Service and the Governing Board to comply with such directives. 8. The functions of the Board are - 1) to Investigate petitions sent to it on physical planning, regeneration or development control matters; 2) to consider appeals from members of the public on the decisions of the Service; 3) to advise on matters referred to it by the Director General or the relevant Agency or other departments and Agencies of Government and the general public; 4) to advise on the implementation of the Operative Development Plans in the State; S) to recommend fees payable In respect of any application for development permit and building control authorization and other lnc.ldental matters; 6) to grant exemption from any fees; 7) to advise on the forms of all notice required to be given or sent under this Law and the issuance and service of the same; Directives by the Govemor. Functions of tne Soard. 14 8) to recommend the control, whether by prohibition or otherwise, of a Development Plan; 9) to undertake any other matter Incidental to physical planning and development control activities in the State; 10) to recruit and appoint the personnel needed In accordance with terms of the Scheme submitted and approved in line with provisions of section 22(c); and 11) do other such things as may be relevant to Its functions 9. SubJect to the approval of the Governor, the Service shall comprise of such number of departments as may be required to exercise its powers and discharge its dutles and functions under this Law. 10. The members of the Soard shall - 11. (a) be person of proven integrity; and (b) other than ex-officro members be appointed by the Governor and shall hold office for 4 years and may be re-appointed for another term of 4 years only. The office of a member shall become vacant if - (a) his tenure of office elapses; (b) he resigns by notice in writing to the Governor; ( c) he dies; and (d) he is removed from office by the Governor in public interest. 12. (1) A member may at any tlme be removed from office by the Governor on the occurrence of any of the following - (a) If he becomes bankrupt; (b) if he is convicted of a felony or any offence involving dishonesty or fraud; (c) If he becomes of unsound mind or is Incapable of carrying out hls duties; ( d) If he is found guilty by a competent Court or tribunal of serious misconduct in relation to his duties; Departm!nlS ol the Se<vlce. Teoo~ of Board memb<rs. Cessation or Offta!, Removal rrom Office and v~cancy. (e) if he allows his financial or fiduciary Interest to come In conflict with the operations of the Service; (f) If in the case of a person possessed of professional qualification, he is dlsqualified or suspended other than his own request from practicing his profession; 15 (g) if he has been absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board without the permission of- (i). the Chairman, in the case of a member, and (11). the Governor, in the case of the Chairman; or (h) if in the opinion of the Governor, It is In the interest of the Service that the member be relieved of his membership. (2) Where an office becomes vacant, the Governor shall appoint a fit and proper person for the remainder of the term of office and the successor shall represent same interest. 13. There shall be paid to every member of the Board, not being ex­ officio member such remuneration, allowances and benefits as may be determined by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Rscal Commission (RMAFC). 14. (1) The Board shall meet every two months, or as considered expedient, for effective discharge of its functions. (2) The Chairman shall preside at every meeting of the Board and in his absence, the members present shall appoint one of them to preside. 15. (1) The Board may appoint such number of standing or ad-hoc Committees as it thinks fit to consider and report on any matter with which the Service Is concerned. (2) Every Committee appointed under sub-section (1) shall be presided over by a member of the Board and shall be made up of persons, not necessarily members of the Board as the Board may determine in each case. 16. Whenever In the opinion of the Board it is expedient or desirable to obtain the service or advice of any person on any matter under consideration by the Board, the Board may co-opt such persons at such meeting of the Board as may be requested and such person shall have the Remooeration of Bo>td fflfmbers. Meetings or the Board. standing and ad-hoc committees. Power to a>-opl 16 right and privileges of a member, except that he shall not be entitled to vote on any question or be counted towards a quorum. 17. The validity of any proceedings of the Board or its Committee shall not be adversely affected by- (a) any vacancy In the membership of the Board; or (b) any reason that a person not entitled to do so, took part in the proceeding. 18. Toe quorum at a meeting of the Board shall be nine members of the Board. 19. (1) A member of the Board who Is In any way directly or Indirectly interested in a transaction or project of the Service shall cf1SClose the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Board, and such disclosure shall be recorded in the minute book of the Service, and the member shall not take part In any deliberation or decision of the Board with respect to that transaction or project for avoidance of conflict of Interest. (2) Subject to the provision of sub-section (1) a general notice given at a meeting of the Board by a member to the effect that he is associated with any trade or business or he is a member of a specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction or project of the Service concerning that trade, business, company or firm shall be regarded as sufficient disclosure of his interest in relation to that transaction or project (3) A member of the Board may not attend In person a meeting of the Board in order to make a disclosure which he is required to make under this section if he takes reasonable steps to ensure that the disclosure Is made by a notice which is brought up and read at the meeting. 20. (1) All questions at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by a majority of vote of members present. (2) At any meeting of the Board, each member shall have a vote and if there is equality of votes, the presiding Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. 01~- ol lnterl!S by Board members. : 17 PARTllI MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE SERVICE 21. (1) Toe Governor shall appoint a Chairman as the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Service, subject to the approval of two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly who shall be responsible for the day to day administration of the Service. (2) Toe Executive Chairman shall hold office for a term of four years renewable for another term of four years only. (3) Toe Executive Chairman shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as may be determined by Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Rscal Commission (RMAFC). 22. (1) Toe Executive Chairman shall perform the following functions (a) annually prepare the draft business plan of the Service for the ensuing financial year and submit the plan to the Board for approval; (b) submit within three months of his appointment the draft organlzatlonal plan of the Service, inclusive of key performance indicators for each division, to the Board for approval; (c) recommend to the Board a scheme containing the proposed personnel requirement, remuneration of the personnel, of the Service and their conditions of service based on the approved organizational plan; Offlceolllie& Chairman. Funalons ol UM Executlve01alr 18 (d) attend meetings of the Board and keep the Board lnformed on a regular basis of the performance of the Service; and (e) ensure compliance with measures approved by the Board with respect to good governance. (2) In preparing the organizational plan of the Service, the Executive Chairman shall ensure that the Service is structured into divisions, departments or sections to comprehensively cover all its functions following sound organizational practice. 23. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 21(2), the Executive Chairman shall cease to hold office lf- (a) he resigns his appointment by notice under his hand addressed to the Governor; (b) he becomes of unsound mind; (c) he becomes incapable of carrying on the functions of his office either arising from Infirmity of mind or body; (d) he Is convicted of felony or of any offence involving dishone.sty or corruption; (e) he becomes bankrupt or make compromise with his creditors; (f) the Governor is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Service or of the public for the person to continue in office and the Governor removes him from office; or (g) he has been found guilty of a breach of the code of conduct or other serious misconduct In relation to his duties. 24. (1) The Governor shall appoint an Administrative Secretary who shall be an Administrative Officer not below grade level 14." Removal of the ~ Chairman. Appointment al1d luncocos ot the Administrative Seaetary. 19 (2) The Administrative Secretary shall be the Secretary of the Board and shall be responsible for - " (a) the administrative functions of the Service and of the Board's Secretariat; (b) keeping the books and proper records of the proceedings of the Board; (c) conveying decisions of the Board to its members; (d) issue notices of meetings of the Board; and (e) carry out such other duties as the Board may direct. 25. (1) The Governor shall appoint a Legal Officer to the Board who shall be a Legat practitioner with not less than Seven years' post call experience. (2) The Legal officer shall be responsible for the Legat functions of the Service. 26. {l) The Board may subject to the approval of the Governor from time to time appoint such other employees as It may consider necessary, to enable it effectively perform Its functions under this Law. (2) The Board may specifically delegate to the Executive Chairman, the power to appoint such categories of staff of the Service as the Board may from time to time specify. (3) The staff of the Service shall be public servants in the service of Kwara State. (4) The Service shall grant pension and gratuities In accordance with the pension law of the State. (5) The Service may engage consultants and Advisers In areas where it has technical deficiency. Appointment and ""1cllonsolthe Legal Off--. Slaff d the SefVlce. 20 27. (1) The Service may make Staff Regulations relating generally to the conditions of service of its employees. (2) Pending the publlcatlon of the Staff Regulations described in sub­ section (l)the employment of the staff of the Service shall be governed by the terms and conditions generally applicable to officers in the public Service of the State. (3) Staff Regulations issued by the Service under Sub-section (1) shall not have effect until approved by the Board and published in the Gazette. PART IV ACQUISMON OF LAND AND COMPENSATION 28. (1) Where it appears to the Executive Chairman that it Is necessary to obtain any land in connection with planned urban or rural development in accordance with the pofldes and proposals of any Operative Development Plan, any right of occupancy subsisting on that land may be revoked. (2) A right of occupancy referred to in subsection (1) will be revoked only in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Land Use Act. 29. Notwithstanding any provision of this law, the Service may, when ft considers it necessary- ( a) facilitate the execution of the Operative Development Plan; (b) make payment or reasonable compensation to any person who had developed or who Is carrying on lawful development and sustains a damage or suffers any loss, ff his land is affected by- (i) Injurious affection, (ii) disturbance, or Power to OClll.ll'C • 1/Jncl. Faditatfon and txewtionof operative ~tplan. : .• 21 (iii)displacement, ( c ) in order to give effect to any provisions of this Law or regulations made under it. PARTV FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 30. ( 1) The Service shall establish and maintain a fund which shall consist of- (a)such sums as may be appropriated by the State House of Assembly by way of annual subvention; (b) all other sums accruing to the Service by way of grants, gifts, testamentary dispositions, endowments, bequest and donations made to the Service; (c) income from any Investment or other property acquired by or vested in the Service; ( d) a percentage as stipulated by the Governor and appropriated by the State House of Assembly of not more than five percent (5%) of all related revenues collected in the preceding financial year which sum shall be deployed to pay part of the capital and recurrent expenditures of the Service; and (e) such other sums as may accrue from time to time to the Service. Fund orlhe SeNice. 22 31. (1) The Service .shall, not later than 30m June in each year, submit to the Governor an estimate of its expenditure and Income (including estimates of expected payments Into the Fund) during the next succeeding year. (2) The Service shall keep proper accounts In a form which conforms t.o International Public S~ctor Accounting Standard (IPSAS), and proper records ln relatlon thereto and the accounts shall be audited as provided ln subsection (3). (3) The accounts of the Service shall be audited at the end of each financial year by external auditors appointed by the Service from a list of auditors provided by the Auditor-General of the State In accordance with the Financial Regulations and the fees of the auditors and the expenses for the audit generally shall be paid from the fund. 32. The Service shall, not later than 30th June in each year, submit its Annual Report to the Governor which shall include details of the actlvitles of the Service and It's admlnistratlon during the preceding year and the audited accounts of the Service. PART VI GENERAL PROVISIONS 33. (1) The Service may, accept any gift, technical assistance, grant or donation of land, money or other prope.rty on such terms and conditions If any, as may be specified by the person or organization making the gift as may be acceptable to the Service. (2) The Se.rvice shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the person or organization offering the gift are inconsistent with the objectives and functions of the Service under this Law. ·. Annual Res,art, Glll5 and donations.. 23 34. (1) For purpose of carrying out the functions conferred on the Service under this Law, the Executive Chairman, or any employee of the Service duly authorized In that behalf - (a) shall have a right of access to all relevant geospatial records, data and infonnation on any person in the State; and (b) may, by notice in writing served on any person, require such person to furnish or cause to be furnished geospatial information or other similar information held by or available to such persons, on such matters as may be specified in the notice. (2) It shall be the duty of any person required to furnish information • under to subsection (1) to comply with the notice within the period specified in the notice or where no period is specified, within a reasonable period. 35. (1) The Service may subject to the approval of the Governor by an Order published In the Gazette make regulations for the effective operation of this Law and the due administration thereof. (2) The Service shall have power to review charges for services rendered from time to time which shall be published in the Gazette and charges shall be Inconsonance with any other related Law. 36. (1) No suit shall be commenced against the Service before the expiration of a period of 30 days after written notice of intention to commence the suit shall have been served upon it by the intending claimant or his agent and the notice shall clearly and explicitly state- RJght of acxes to Information. Rl!l)ulallons. Umlrat:,,, rl Slll:S. (a) lhe cause of action; (b)the particulars of daim; (c) the name and place of abode of the intending claimant; and ( d) the relief which he claims. 24 (2) No Member or staff of the Service shall be sued in his personal capacity for any act done or omitted to be done In the lawful performance of his duties under this Law. 37. (1) The fixing of the Seal of the Service shall be authenticated by the signature of the Executive Chairman and the Legal officer or such other member authorized generally or specifically by the Board. (2) Any contract or instrument, which If made by a person not being a body corporate, would not be required to be made under seal, may be executed on behalf of the Service by the Executive Chairman or by any other person generally or specially authorized by the Board. (3) Any document purporting to be a contract, instrument or other document signed or sealed on behalf of the Service shall be received in evidence and, unless the contrary Is provided, be presumed without further proof to have been so signed or sealed. Common seal. 38. The rights, interests, obligations, assets and liabilities of the Ministry savings. of Housing and Urban Development, Physical Planning Authority, Kwara State Development Agency and Office of the Surveyor General before the commencement of this Law under any contract or instrument are hereby vested in the Service. 39. The Kwara State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law Repeal. No, 13 of 2017, is hereby repealed. • . • • 25 40. In this Law, unless the context otherwise requires - "abandoned building" means an existing previously occupied but vacated building and left In that condition for a period of up to five years, or a building which Is under construction but on which work has ceased for up to five years; "Board" means the Governing Board of the Service; "Constitution" means the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended); "developer" means a builder, constructor, creator, or pioneer; "development" means- ( a) the carrying out of any building, mining, or other operation in, on, over, or under any land; or (b) the making of any material change in the use of any land, building or structure; or (c) c.onverslon of land, building or structure from its established or approved use; or (d) placement or display of urban furniture on the land, on the building or structure; or (e) making of any environmentally significant change In the use of any land; or (f)demolltion of building, including felling of trees; "Development Plans" means details, drawings and specifications for a development rendered at appropriate scales, dimensions and sizes as prescribed by the regulations made under this law; "Gazette" means kwara St.ate Government Official Gazette; "Governor'' means the Governor of Kwara State; "land" means land covered with water and everything attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which Is attached to the earth and also chattel real, and tenures of every description and any interest in it, and undivided shares of land; rnte,inta!ion. "member" means member of the Governing Board and lndudes the Executive Chairman; 26 "Operative Development Plan" means any plan that has fonnally been endorsed for Implementation; "person" means an applicant for or holder of development permit under this law and Includes for the avo.idance of doubt, an owner, his servant or agent, consultants, an independent contractor or a builder or a corporate or an unincorporated body registered under the relevant law or enactment; "public building" means hotels, lodging facilities, bars and places of worship; "rehabilitation" means a planning process whereby individual structures are Improved to meet established bulldlng standards and criteria. It can also be called Renovation Scheme; "redevelopment" means a planning process where an existing old and decayed settlement or neighborhood which has been declared a blighted area is completely pulled down and redeveloped from scratch and thereby create a new and modern development in replacement of the old one; • "renovation" means rebuild, reclaim, recondition, reconstruct, rehabilitate, reinstate, rejuvenate, re-institute and restore a building (excluding painting); "Service" means the Kwara Geographic Information Service established under section 4; "Special building project" means refineries, petrochemical plants or complex storage or holding tank farms, container or bonded tenninals and other development that may be classified by the relevant agency as special building project; "urban furniture" means those entire physical structures placed on a landscape and afftXed to the land distinct from actual bulldlng and includes bus stop shelter, telecommunication antenna, mast and • • • 27 towers, cables and pipes, street neon sign, advertisement billboards, light statue, artifact placement, fountains and direction finders; "urban renewal" means a planning geared towards a physical Improvement of existing urban settlement to eliminate blight by any of the fallowing methods; redevelopment, upgrading or regeneration or, rehabilitation, preservation and conservation; "upgrading" or ''regeneration" means a planning process where an existing but decaying urban area ls improved in parts to meet established physical planning; "waste land" means land which for the time being ls un workable and Include burrow pit, land degraded by erosion, abandoned waste dumps and land liable to flooding. "The fund" means the fund established for the Service pursuant of section 30, hereof. 41. This Law may be cited as the Kwara Geographic Information Servi,e Law, 2020. This printed Impression hos been car,,fully compared by me wrth the 11111 whfct, was passed by the Kwora State HotU of Assembly and found by me to be a m,e and com,o;tly pmted cepy of U,e said &II, Oert< to the House Cllotion.