In a bid to ensure that all building regulations and standards are kept, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) hereby directs that henceforth all buildings (residential and commercial) exceeding two floors in Awka Capital Territory (ACT) must be backed up by a soil material and structural integrity test report.
This was in a statement issued by the Managing Director and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of ACTDA, Ekwunife Charles which was made available to the press.
ACTDA in the directive insisted that all hostel buildings exceeding one floor must be backed up by a soil material and structural integrity test report.
It directed that five copies of building plans must be submitted, explaining that four would be submitted to ACTDA and one to go to the Anambra State Material Testing Laboratory Agency.
The agency said there must be raft foundation for all buildings above two floors in Ifite and Agu-Awka layouts of Awka.
It warned that all proposed building developments from two floors upwards in ACT would no longer receive approval except backed up by a soil material, and structural integrity test report as directed by ACTDA.
According to the statement, all ongoing building projects in ACT if found to have any structural default or defect during site or stage inspection must be subjected to a non-destructive test by the Anambra State Material Test Laboratory Agency.
“Having discovered that some developers sometimes deviate from the building approvals issued to them but go on to undertake wishful project constructions, therefore ACTDA hereby issues this directive that all buildings under construction in ACT must resubmit their project development approvals for revalidation and recertification by ACTDA, as well as for current stage inspection.
“ACTDA at the same time directs that all building projects in ACT must be undertaken and executed by professional Structural Engineers who must be certified and confirmed by COREN and who must submit to ACTDA the certification details and documents with respect to the particular project to be undertaken and executed by him or her before approval will be issued for commencement of such project(s).
“With respect to the above, developers must henceforth engage the services of relevant registered professional Engineers who will undertake or execute the project, before the project approval is issued by ACTDA, having confirmed the Engineers who is to undertake or execute the project.
“Developers are by this directive instructed to notify ACTDA of the commencement of a project, at least seven days before commencement of the foundation set-out.
“ACTDA will partner with COREN to appoint sets of certified Engineers who ACTDA will in collaboration with COREN assign to move around and inspect the project’s stage activity, as well as sign project stage confirmatory forms in conjunction with the COREN certified Engineer handling the project execution.
“Building projects yet uncompleted or building approvals not commenced after two years must be revalidated.
“ACTDA now directs that henceforth people should not live in or be allowed to sleep in buildings under construction and no construction work or activity should exceed 7:00pm, irrespective of the environmental lighting.
“Henceforth, ACTDA now directs that all building project developers are required to obtain builder’s liability and public liability insurance before approval is granted. This is to safeguard both the site workers and the public around the project site in case of any eventuality, as well as protect developers from any legal liabilities arising from any form of eventual outcome or collapse- injury, death, among other things, “the statement read.
ACTDA said commencement of submission of building project approvals for revalidations and recertifications as identified in item five would begin from Tuesday, August 15, 2024 till October 15, 2024 at ACTDA Head Office; Block A, Millennium Plaza, Opp. ABS Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka, Anambra State.
For further enquiries pls call:
Emmanuel Atuanya – 07039650429.
Ekwunife Charles-08132236111.
Uche Mbeabie -08034174310.
