ABIA REVOKES TRADEMORE ESTATE BUILDING PERMIT OVER PLANNING VIOLATIONS
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Maduka Josia
UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA — The Abia State Government has revoked the building permit issued to Trademore Housing Estate in Ubani, Umuahia, following the discovery of what officials described as serious planning and regulatory violations.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the revocation on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) conducted an inspection of the estate after receiving complaints from residents about flooding and defective structures.
According to him, the inspection revealed that the developer had violated several planning and regulatory requirements governing the development.
The commissioner explained that the developer originally applied for a building permit for only two structures — a semi-detached two-bedroom bungalow and a three-bedroom bungalow.
He, however, said the development subsequently expanded into a full housing estate beyond the scope of the original application and approval.
Kanu further disclosed that the application submitted by the developer did not contain several mandatory planning and regulatory documents.
Among the documents reportedly missing were a survey plan, site plan, site analysis report, layout plan and environmental impact assessment report.
He added that the application also lacked evidence of payment of required administrative fees, as well as technical inputs from relevant professionals and government agencies.
Kanu said the identified infractions prompted the state government to revoke the building permit.
He added that the government would communicate further measures to be taken to address the situation and ensure compliance with planning regulations.
The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Otti had directed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to address recurring flooding in Ogurube and Ehimiri layouts in Umuahia.
The committee, which will include officials of the UCDA and representatives of the Ministries of Works, Environment and Lands, has been given two weeks to submit its report.
According to Kanu, the committee is expected to identify practical and sustainable measures to tackle the flooding affecting the areas.
Meanwhile, the state government has continued its efforts to assist Abia indigenes returning from South Africa.
Kanu said nine additional returnees had been received and reunited with their families in the past two weeks.
The returnees comprised one adult male, three mothers, four children and one infant.
He disclosed that arrangements were also underway to support the return of approximately 100 more Abia indigenes from South Africa, with documentation and other necessary preparations currently being processed.
On healthcare, the commissioner said the state government had paid ₦502.1 million as counterpart funding under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
He said the payment would enable vulnerable residents to continue accessing healthcare services through the state’s health insurance scheme.
Kanu further disclosed that a Swedish organisation had facilitated the provision of specialised medical equipment to Abia for trauma-related procedures.
He said the equipment would support specialised surgeries, including orthopaedic, brain and spine procedures.
The latest measures, according to the commissioner, form part of the state government's broader efforts to strengthen urban planning, healthcare delivery, social intervention and infrastructure management across Abia State.
