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The Government of Abia State has declared that it will soon embark on a massive redesigning of Umuahia, the state capital and Aba, its commercial city to ensure that the two cities is made to appear investment and environmental friendly.
Accordingly, all attachments and projections to buildings or extensions to structures in these cities will soon be pulled down.
Prince Okey Kanu, the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, who dropped this hint while fielding questions from newsmen in Umuahia, said the state government is worried over the continued flouting of town planning laws by some individuals in the state.
The commissioner spoke after this week’s state executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
His word, “If you look round the city, you would see a lot of buildings that bear extensions in their front, these attachments have been converted to shops. Government is frowning at that. We want buildings to remain buildings, if you have commercial building, it would serve that purpose, if you have residential building, let them serve that purpose.
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“We expect those involved to take their time to do the needful and remove these stalls, if they fail, government would enforce it.”
Kanu used the forum to announce the setting up of Standard Materials Testing Laboratory, saying that it is being set up because of the incessant collapse of buildings in Nigeria with its attendant human and material loses.
The government, he disclosed, is trying to ensure that no building falls down after being erected, adding that the lab may include where builders will test materials for road construction.
“It will also provide a platform for a research for those who want to carry out research in such areas. They will be able to use such a facility to carry out research when you want to test materials”.
Throwing more light on the Standard Materials Testing Laboratory, the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, described the development as a worthwhile venture.
“This is also going to assist us to ensure that every building, road construction including bridges meet the required standards. You are also aware that the use of substandard materials has become the order of the day, so with this, it’s going to be pretty difficult for any builder to start any construction work and get any approval at any stage without subjecting the materials you are going to use through this laboratory”.
According to UCDA GM the lab would also be set up in other areas of the state, pointing out that it is capable of handling soil test, reinforcement of rods, aggregate materials and asphalt.
Similarly, the state government will commence the closure of all illegal gates around the cities of Umuahia and Aba to enhance free flow of traffic.
