Chidiebele Obika | I-Witness News
The Anambra State government through the state physical planning board (ANSPPB) has directed that in order to check the spate of building collapses in the state, it would immediately begin recertification of completed and ongoing building developments in the state.
This was contained in a press release issued yesterday, July 31st, 2024 at the headquarters of the board at Amawbia by the Executive Chairman of ANSPPB, Barrister Chike Maduekwe
The statement read, “Government has found the spate of building collapses in the state worrisome and has decided to take the following steps:
1. Recertification of Building permits: Effective immediately all permits for ongoing
construction projects are hereby suspended. All Developers must bring their
approval documents for revalidation.
2. It must be made clear that we are not revoking all existing building permits, but
revalidating them to be sure that the approval given is what the developer is
building.
3. Because most Developers after obtaining building permit approval do not engage
relevant professionals in the Built industry, Anambra State Physical Planning
Board will now audit and ensure that these Professionals have been engaged in all
ongoing constructions which is an already existing provisions of Building
regulation.
4. Any Development that commences without 7 days prior notice to ANSPPB will be
deemed illegal and is liable to be demolished and the Developer will be made to
face the full embrace of the law.
Furthermore, the Chairman directed that during the audit of any building, structures found to have structural integrity issues will be subjected to non destructive testing (NDT) by the Material Testing laboratory.
He directed that that the following shall further be done: 1. 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.
2. Government will now hire Professional consultants to monitor construction sites
Statewide.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Government hereby directs that nobody shall be allowed to pass the night in any
building undergoing construction and construction works must not go beyond 7pm
6. 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.
Moreover, Barrister Maduekwe stated thusly, ” 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 second phase of these initiatives is OPERATION SHOW YOUR BUILDING PERMIT
which takes effect from 1st of August to the 31st of October, 2024. 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.
To regularize your building plan, please visit the Anambra State Physical Planning Board
for necessary documentation and procedures at the ANSPPB Headquarters, Old
Government Station, Amawbia, Awka Capital Territory, Anambra State.
Failure to comply with this directive after the stipulated period will result in appropriate
sanctions.”
He requested the general public who wishes to contact Anambra State Physical Planning Board to call the following:
Call: 08062533672, 08033561344 or 08037835105.
