Abia Makes Soil Test Mandatory for Building Permits, Vows Crackdown On Quack Developers ……

Abia State Government has made soil and geo-technical testing mandatory for all building approvals in the state, as part of fresh measures to curb building collapse and protect lives and property.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced this while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

“Going forward, if you must obtain a building permit, you must have a soil test and geotechnical test certificate,” Kanu said.

“This is to ensure that buildings are designed and built in line with soil capabilities and constructed on verified and strong foundations to improve structural safety and prevent building collapse.”

The Commissioner said relief is also coming to Emede Ibeku Community as Governor Otti has approved an erosion control project for the area through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) which has also intensified desilting of drainages across Umuahia metropolis to mitigate flooding this rainy season. Areas covered include Shoprite-Uwalaka, Asaba Street Junction, Ndume Otuka Road, Winners Church Ndume Ibeku Road, Finbars Road and Adelabu.

He also disclosed that government is taking a holistic review of markets within the capital, including Ogwumabiri Market at Ossah, with plans to give them a facelift or relocate them to more suitable sites.

Fielding questions on the recent building collapse in Umuahia, UCDA General Manager, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, said the panel set up to investigate will submit its report this week and findings will be made public.

“We believe in due process. The building has been sealed and nobody is allowed near the premises. Once the report is out, necessary steps will be taken,” he said.

Agomuo added that a structural integrity testing facility has been put in place to reduce future cases of building collapse.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said government will henceforth be “far more decisive” in enforcing building standards.

“The government is going to go harder on developers and house owners who ignore government guidelines. We need your collaboration to put pressure on them,” he said.

On Housing, the Commissioner further announced that the tendering process for the Pocket Estate Layout in Umuahia has been concluded and the list of successful contractors will be released this week. At the Green City Site and Services Estate in Obehie, Ukwa West LGA, perimeter fencing and road construction have been completed.

On roads, he said the Ministry of Works is executing direct labour projects at 46 locations statewide. Three maintenance projects have been completed: the failed section of Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwo Mbala Road in Umunneochi, Phase 2 of Akara Junction–Ovim Bridge Road in Isuikwuato, and Mazi Okoro Avenue in Obinkita, Arochukwu.

Rainy season maintenance has also commenced on Opobo Junction–Azumini–Obehe Road linking the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, as well as the access road to Obingwa General Hospital and Obingwa LGA Headquarters.

He noted that while 26 road projects are under contract, heavy rainfall has slowed progress in some areas.

The State Director of Information, Lady Chika Orji-Nwoke, was present at the briefing.