Anambra State Government on Thursday made it clear that only the State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) and the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, (ACTDA) are the only government agencies authorised to issue demand notices and enforce development control in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the State Physical Planning Board, Barr. Chike Maduekwe made the disclosure at different locations in Abatete and Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area, during a joint task force enforcement exercise.
According to Maduekwe, the board has been inundated with reports of a group of people alleged to be members of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) who went about placing demand notices to unsuspecting members of the public.
The exercise was said to be part of the efforts of the Board to enforce building control regulations in various parts of the state.
This followed concerns about the rise of illegal structures that are not only an eyesore, but also pose a threat to human safety.
During a recent operation in Idemili North local government area, the task force visited buildings that were deemed to be in violation of the building control regulations.
Several buildings were found to have been constructed without the necessary approval from the authorities.
The owners of these buildings were subsequently issued with notices of violation and given a period within which to rectify the situation or risk demolition of their structures.
Barr. Maduekwe in his speech during the exercise, emphasized the need for all buildings to conform to the building control regulations, reminding the public that the state government has the power to demolish any illegal structures that pose a risk to public safety.
He asked developers to disregard any body issuing demand notices as criminals, even though the COREN body in the state had discredited the notices making the rounds.
“The Anambra State Materials Testing Laboratory also has a major role to play in development control.
“The ANSPPB would continue to carry out enforcement across the state in order to ensure that all buildings are constructed in accordance with government approved plans.
“Property owners should approach the ANSPPB within the grace period it gave for ratification and harmonization of building plans and approvals, which would elapse by the end of October, 2024.
“Furthermore, property owners are advised to seek approval from the authorities before embarking on any building projects.
“Failure to do so, would result in legal action being taken against them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the move has been welcomed by many members of the public who have long complained about the spate of building collapse and lack of enforcement of building control regulations.
They have called on the authorities to take action against those who flout the laws in order to ensure that all buildings are safe for habitation.
It is hoped that the increased enforcement of building control regulations will result in safer and more attractive cities across the country.
