Abia Makes Soil, Geotechnical Tests Mandatory For Building Approvals To Curb Collapses 

Abia State Government has introduced mandatory soil and geotechnical testing as prerequisites for obtaining building permits in the state capital

The move is aimed at improving structural safety, preventing building collapse and protection of lives and property of AbIa residents.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the policy on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu said the new requirement forms part of the government’s efforts to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in line with the characteristics of the soil on which they are sited.

According to the commissioner, the measure is intended “to ensure that buildings are designed and built in line with soil capabilities and constructed on verified and strong foundations to improve structural safety as well as prevent building collapse.

“Mandatory soil and geotechnical testing are now prerequisites before building permits are granted in the state capital. 

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

“This is to ensure that going forward, buildings are designed and built in line with soil capabilities and constructed on verified and strong foundations to improve structural safety, prevent building collapse, and protect lives and property”, he said.

Prince Kanu also outlined a series of interventions being undertaken by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) to improve urban infrastructure and mitigate flooding across the state capital.

The commissioner disclosed that the UCDA has intensified the desilting of drainage channels on flood-prone roads in Umuahia to improve the free flow of stormwater during the rainy season.

He listed the areas currently benefiting from the disitiling exercise to include; Adelabu Street drainage, Shoprite to Uwalaka Street, Asaba Street Junction, Ndume Otuka Road, Winners Church Ndume Road, Church of Christ and Finbarrs Road.

On erosion control, Prince Kanu revealed that the State EXCO has approved immediate intervention in Emede Ibeku Community in Umuahia North LGA, where residents have battled severe erosion.

The commissioner disclosed that UCDA has received approval to commence erosion control works in the affected community.

He also announced progress in the state’s housing development programme, stating that the tendering process for the proposed Pocket Estate Layout had been completed.

According to Prince Kanu, the provisional list of successful contractors would be released on Tuesday, adding that the proposed pocket estate project is ready for takeoff.

The commissioner further disclosed that construction activities are progressing at the Green City Site and Services Estate in Obehie in Ukwa East Local Government Area.

“The perimeter fencing has been completed and the roads in the estate have been constructed. The blocks as well have been facilitated”, he said. 

Prince Kanu also revealed that the state government has begun a comprehensive review of markets within and around the state capital as part of its urban renewal programme.

He said the review could result in the upgrading of some markets or their relocation where necessary.

The commissioner identified the Ogwumabiri Market near the Abia Tower area in Umuahia as one of the facilities under consideration, noting that its present condition falls short of the Otti led administration’s urban renewal vision.

“The state government is taking a holistic view of some of the markets located in and around the state capital, with a view to giving them a facelift or, in some cases, relocating them altogether.

“For instance, the Ogwumabiri Market, situated near the Ossah Road Tower, is one of such markets that close attention will be paid on.

“The way the Ogwumabiri Market is situated and the way it looks today does not represent what the state government thinks about it in terms of urban renewal.

“That market and such other markets will either be given facelifts or relocated entirely”, he added.

Responding to questions from journalists on the recent building collapse along Finbars Road, Umuahia, and previous incidents in the state, the General Manager, UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomuo, said the judicial panel constituted by the Abia State Government to investigate the causes of the collapses had concluded its assignment and would soon submit its report to the Governor.

He assured that the findings would be made public immediately after the report is received to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mr Agomuo said the state government has strengthened its regulatory framework to prevent future building collapses, including the establishment of a Structural Integrity Testing Laboratory to scientifically assess the safety of buildings across the state.

He disclosed that the UCDA had identified several buildings with structural defects and commenced enforcement actions, stressing that both the two-storey building on Crowther Street and the structure on Finbarrs Road that eventually collapsed had been sealed by the authority before the incidents occurred.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the state government would no longer tolerate negligence or violations of building regulations, warning that owners of substandard structures would face decisive action.

He emphasised that the building which collapsed on Finbarrs Road had been sealed by the UCDA two weeks before the collapse, adding that the incident underscores the need for strict compliance with regulatory directives aimed at protecting lives and property.

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