By: Ogemdi Ozoemenam, Awka
Anambra State Government has warned that henceforth, any building development that started without approval, will be demolished.
The Chairman and Managing Director, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barrister Chike Maduekwe stated this when he led the Development Control Enforcement team to remove illegal structures at Ogbo Oroma, off Port Harcourt Road, Fegge Onitsha in Onitsha South Council area of the State.
The illegal structures were a massive perimeter fence and shanties within the fence, that was previously demolished about two years ago, on the grounds that it was obstructing the Sakamory drainage system.
Crisis however ensued last week when staff of the Physical Planning Board visited the site to warn the developer about the dangers of impending demolition of the structure, if he fails to present his Building Permit, but the developer used thugs and alleged paid policemen to chase them away.
But speaking at the demolition site, Barr Maduekwe said government is determined to enhance welfare of the people and ensure that building environment is safe, hence the need for people to operate within the confines of the law.
“We started with this because there was a threat to government staff using hoodlums. We have given them a window to bring their building permits, if you dont bring it after the window (1st August to 31st October), we will enforce demolition.
“Within the window, you will not pay penalty. Bring your documents, if its not in order; we know. There are things you build that are not approvable. Those ones that can be approved, will be revalidated and issued an approval. The ones that can’t be approval, will be removed.
“We are going to several places. There will be a lot of enforcements next week on ‘Operation Show Your Building Permit’ consequent upon the directive of Mr Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
“We have stated clearly, you cannot build anything in this state again without approval. The instruction is that we will arrest them and prosecute them before the court. Thus, anyone behind the illegal structure so demolished, shall be brought to face the full embrace of the law.”
While attributing non compliance to building regulations to land disputes or lack of proper documents, the Chairman expressed concern over the financial burden of enforcement on the government.
Barr Maduekwe warned developers to stop taking government’s building regulations for granted with a view to restoring sanity in the building sector and guard against incessant building collapse in the state
The Operation “Show Your Building Permit” will be replicated in other parts of the state, marking a new era in building regulatory enforcement in Anambra State.
The team later went to Amobi street around Iweka Road Onitsha to examine massive buildings and plazas under construction to know those marked for demolition and warning.
In the meantime, government has suspended all building projects within the state until builders show their permits for revalidation while those who don’t have must come for approval.
