Anambra State Physical Planning Board Demolishes Structures At Onitsha, Ihiala Council Areas

Anambra State Physical Planning Board has demolished a building at No 47 Modebe Avenue, Onitsha, which collapsed and killed a girl child of about eight years, on 8th April, 2020.
The collapsed portion of the building is the lintel attachment to existing structure.

Government House Correspondent, Ejike Abana reports that in April, officials of the Board led by the Acting General Manager, Mr. Anene and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Monitoring & Supervision on Lands and Physical Planning, Mrs. Joy Nneli, visited the site, sealed and marked it for demolition.
They also visited two commercial buildings under construction in Azia and Uzoakwa as well as block of shops constructed on the road in Okija, all in Ihiala Council Area.

In almost all the cases, the developers threatened officials of the Board and mobilized youths who molested them while on duty.
Workers seen at the sites during the exercise were apprehended , to be handed over to the police.

According to Mr. Anene, even though more people are becoming aware of the need to commence any building construction with approval due to massive infrastructural development across the state, many others are yet to come to terms with the implication of building without government approval, saying that it poses great risk to life and property.

As he wondered why many developers are still recalcitrant about carrying government along in their development plan, the Acting General Manager stressed that officials of the Board do not embark on enforcement without first issuing notices and called on developers to always come to their office to obtain building permit, no matter the size of the structure.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe was also part of the exercise.
The Law establishing the Anambra State Physical Planning Board to engender controlled development, applies to all urban and regional planning matters involving government intervention, administration and control within the entire boundary of Anambra State.