Abia Tightens Building Regulations, Unveils Another Smart School as Otti Expands Development Agenda

The Abia State Government has announced fresh measures to tackle building collapse, improve public education and sustain infrastructure development across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu announced this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Top on the government’s agenda is the introduction of mandatory soil and geotechnical tests for all prospective developers seeking building approvals in the state capital.

Kanu said the policy became necessary following recent incidents of building collapse and would ensure that every structure is erected on a suitable foundation.

“Going forward, if you must obtain a building permit, you must have a soil test and geotechnical test certificate.

” This is to ensure that buildings are designed and built in line with soil capabilities, improve structural safety and protect lives and property,” he said.

Kanu also announced that Governor Otti will on Wednesday commission the Umuomaku Smart School in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.

He described the project as another milestone in the administration’s Smart School Initiative aimed at transforming public education through technology and modern learning facilities.

Kanu further disclosed that the Umuahia Capital Development Authority has intensified the desilting of drainage channels across flood-prone areas of the state capital to reduce flooding during the rainy season.

He added that government is also reviewing some markets within Umuahia, including the Ogbodiukwu Market, with a view to giving them a facelift or relocating them as part of the state’s urban renewal programme.

Kanu said approval had equally been granted for erosion control works in Emede Ibeku Community, while the tendering process for the proposed Pocket Estate Layout has been concluded.

He also revealed that work is progressing at the Green City Site and Services Estate in Obehere, Ukwa West Local Government Area, where perimeter fencing has been completed, roads are under construction and plots have been allocated.

On agriculture, Kanu announced the constitution of a planning committee for the implementation of the Nigerian Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NADDI), saying the programme would boost agro-processing and support economic diversification in the state.

He added that the state government had approved the establishment of two greenhouse facilities in each of the three senatorial zones to promote all-year-round vegetable farming.

Kanu further announced that preparations had begun for the third Aba International Trade Fair, themed “Aba Beyond Borders: Driving Innovations, Trade and Industry Growth.”

According to him, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce is collaborating with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to train and certify local entrepreneurs for export readiness in a bid to improve the quality and global competitiveness of Made-in-Aba products.

Kanu also said the Ministry of Works carried out direct labour road maintenance at 46 locations across the state during the period under review, completing three projects while adding two new ones.

He noted that maintenance work is currently ongoing on the Opobo Junction–Azumini–Obehie Road despite the road being a federal highway.

“This administration does not discriminate between federal and state roads, provided they are being used by Abians,” Kanu said.

Speaking on the smart school, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, said the once-neglected community primary school has been transformed into a modern learning centre with 10 smart classrooms equipped with interactive boards, multimedia teaching tools, ICT facilities and digital learning devices.

According to him, the school also has solar power, CCTV surveillance, fire safety equipment, water facilities and a dedicated girls’ room to support menstrual hygiene.

“The school had suffered low enrolment because of its dilapidated condition, but since the government’s intervention, enrolment has increased by over 300 per cent,” Nwosu said.

Adding that teachers assigned to the school had undergone extensive training to prepare them for digital learning.

On the recent building collapses recorded in Umuahia, the Director-General of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Kingsley Agomuo, said the government would no longer tolerate developers who ignore approved building standards.

He disclosed that some distressed buildings had already been identified and sealed, while owners were directed to demolish unsafe structures.

“One life is worth more than whatever anyone will spend on soil testing. These measures are to save lives and property,” Agomuo said.

He explained that government allowed the independent panel investigating the collapsed buildings to complete its assignment before taking further action.

Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity urged residents to support government efforts by reporting distressed buildings and ensuring that developers comply with laid-down regulations.

“The government is going to become far more decisive because we cannot continue to allow people to endanger the lives of Abians,” Ekeoma concluded.