The Abia State Government has announced that developers will no longer be granted building permits without first obtaining mandatory soil and geotechnical certificates as part of measures aimed at preventing building collapse and improving structural safety across the state.
The new policy was unveiled by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to Kanu, the directive is designed to ensure that all buildings are properly designed and constructed based on verified soil conditions, thereby reducing the risk of structural failure and safeguarding lives and property.
He explained that every developer seeking approval for a building project must now present both soil test and geotechnical test certificates before any building permit will be issued by the relevant authorities.
The commissioner said the policy forms part of the Otti administration’s broader efforts to strengthen urban planning standards, enforce compliance with building regulations and promote safer construction practices in Abia State.
Kanu also disclosed that the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) has intensified the desilting of drainage channels in flood-prone areas of the state capital to improve the free flow of stormwater during the rainy season.
He listed several locations currently benefiting from the exercise, including Adelabu Street, the Shoprite–Uwalaka Street axis, Asaba Street Junction, Ndume Otuka Road, Winners Church–Ndume Road, Church of Christ area and Finbarrs Road.
The government expressed optimism that the combined measures would significantly improve public safety, reduce flooding and strengthen the quality of infrastructure development across the state.
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