Anambra Government To Enact Law To Criminalize Construction Of Buildings Without Approval

The Anambra State Government says efforts are underway to enact a law that will criminalize the construction of buildings without the necessary approvals and permits in the state, as well as empower the government to confiscate lands where collapsed buildings are located.

The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, disclosed this during the demolition of the remaining part of a collapsed two-storey building under construction at Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area, where he explained that the proposed law would compel developers to adhere strictly to building regulations, noting that building collapse remains a major threat to lives and property.

Barrister Ojukwu revealed that the collapsed building in Umuoji did not receive approval from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, attributing incidents of building collapse to the use of substandard materials, poor workmanship, and the failure of some developers to follow laid-down development procedures and regulations.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the owner of the property would be heavily sanctioned in accordance with the law, while the site would remain sealed until all necessary applications and approvals are obtained before any further development can take place.

Barrister Ojukwu noted that compliance with physical planning and urban regeneration laws enhances public safety, improves environmental aesthetics, and promotes sustainable development, adding that the state government plans to plant trees along recovered setbacks on major roads across the state as part of efforts to beautify the environment and improve the ecosystem.