Anambra State Government has introduced new measures aimed at preventing such incidents in response to a recent surge in building collapses in the state.
The move addresses concerns over both private and government construction projects, including those undertaken by religious institutions.
Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, announced these directives during a press briefing at the Board’s headquarters in Amawbia, Awka.
He confirmed that these steps are being implemented based on instructions from the Governor.
He said, “When there is any building collapse, Governor Soludo calls me and says this constant building collapses in Anambra is embarrassing, please do something urgent about it.”
Commented onmthe recertification of building permits, he said, “Effective immediately all permits for ongoing construction projects are hereby suspended. All Developers must bring their approval documents for revalidation.
“It must be made clear that we are not revoking all existing building permits, but revalidation them to be sure that the approval given is what the developer is building.
“Because most Developers after obtaining building permit approval do not engage relevant professionals in the building industry, Anambra State Physical Planning Board will now audit and ensure that these professionals have been engaged in all on going constructions which is an already existing provisions of Building regulation.”
Maduekwe also emphasized that any development starting without a seven-day advance notice to the Anambra State Physical Planning Board will be considered illegal. Such projects will face demolition, and developers will be subject to legal consequences.
Additionally, he stated, “During the audit, any buildings identified with structural integrity problems will undergo non-destructive testing (NDT) conducted by the Material Testing Laboratory.
“Soil investigation report are critical requirements for most constructions in Anambra State. All buildings above 2 floors must submit Geotechnical surveys, failing which there will be severe penalties.
“Government will now hire Professional consultants to monitor construction sites statewide.
‘We shall intensify efforts on statutory stage inspections as well as signing of stage certification forms by relevant professionals. It is important to note that supervising professionals will be liable for any building failure or collapse not government staff.
“Buildings under construction that has been abandoned for 5 years and above will need to be recertified before the recommencement of construction work on it to ascertain the structural stability of the building.
“Government hereby directs that nobody shall be allowed to pass the night in any building undergoing construction and construction works must not go beyond 7:00pm every day.
“Effective immediately, all developers will now be required to comply with the compulsory insurance Act of 2003 of Builders’liability and Public Liability.
“Insurance before they can be granted building permit approvals. The reason is to protect the workers and the public who work in the site and who come around the building site. The contractor who has this insurance in place under the insurance act is protected from the legal liabilities arising from any damage to property, collapse, injury or death to any person arising from the Development / Construction.
“Also all Professionals involved in any Development must present to ANSPPB their Professional Indemnity Insurance alongside the letter of undertaking before the building permit approval will be granted to the project they are supervising.”
The ANSPPB Chairman added that the second phase of these initiatives is ‘Operation Show Your Building Permit’ which takes effect from 1st of August to the 31st of October, 2024.
He said, “All property owners with buildings that lack necessary approvals are required to regularize their building plans within this grace period. This amnesty period is an opportunity for compliance and to avoid penalties that may be imposed after the expiration of the grace period.”
Maduekwe urged residents of Anambra State to ensure their building plans are in order by visiting the Anambra State Physical Planning Board for the necessary documentation and procedures.
The ANSPPB Headquarters is located at Old Government Station, Amawbia, Awka Capital Territory.
He warned that failure to comply within the given timeframe will lead to appropriate sanctions. For inquiries, the public can contact the ANSPPB at 08062533672, 08033561344, or 08037835105.
During the media briefing, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Material Testing Laboratory, Engineer Ebosie Ezeoke, highlighted Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s concern regarding the recent building collapses. Ezeoke emphasized that impunity is a central issue contributing to these incidents.
He said, “The major problem we have is impunity, there is obviously a lot of inferior materials in circulation particularly now with the economic crunch all over the place. We have dual responsibility in the system. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, generally takes responsibility for imports and also regulation of standards, so we in the state have put measures in place to actually ensure there is full compliance.We will run some tests to ensure that the buildings have structural integrity to ensure safety.”
