The Abia State Government has explained why it revoked the building permit for Trademore Housing Estate, Ubani, Umuahia, stating that the decision followed findings of serious planning and regulatory infractions.

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

Kanu said the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, following complaints from residents over flooding and defective structures, “conducted an inspection which uncovered several violations by the estate developer”.

Kanu further explained that the developer’s application for a building permit was for only two structures, a semi-detached two-bedroom bungalow and a three-bedroom bungalow, “despite the development subsequently being expanded into an entire estate”.

According to him, the application also lacked critical planning and regulatory documents, including a survey plan, site plan, site analysis report, layout plan, environmental impact assessment report, evidence of payment of administrative fees, and technical inputs from relevant professionals and government agencies.

“Consequently, in view of the foregoing infractions, the building permit of that estate has been revoked. Further steps to address the issues arising from this unfortunate situation will be duly communicated to the press,” Kanu stated.

He also disclosed that Otti had directed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee comprising the UCDA and the Ministries of Works, Environment and Lands to develop a lasting solution to the perennial flooding affecting Ogurube and Ehimiri layouts in Umuahia.

He said the committee had been given two weeks to submit its report, noting that the state government was determined to address the recurring flooding problem in the affected areas through a coordinated intervention.

On the reintegration of returnees from South Africa, the commissioner announced that the State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had, within the past two weeks, received nine additional returnees from the Republic of South Africa, comprising one adult male, three mothers, four children and one infant, all of whom, he said, had been successfully reunited with their families.

He added that the state government was also preparing to support the evacuation and return of about 100 Abia indigenes from South Africa in the coming weeks, with their documentation and other arrangements currently being processed.

The Abia State Government has paid N502.1m counterpart funding under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, enabling vulnerable residents to continue benefiting from the health insurance scheme for vulnerable persons.

He disclosed that a Swedish organisation had attracted specialised medical equipment to the state for trauma-related procedures, including orthopaedic, brain and spine surgeries. (The PUNCH)

Update news