…calls for Investigation Into Remote Cause of Building Collapse
The Abia State state government has constituted a nine (9) member panel to review the State’s building control practices and to checkmate the incidences of building collapse.
The constitution of the panel became necessary following the collapse of a building in Obingwu, Ukwa West L.G.A, on Friday, 7th June, 2024; another one in Chukwunyere Street by Osusu road Aba in Aba North L.G.A, on Friday 5th July, 2024 and other similar occurrence in the past.
Inaugurating the panel which will function for a period of four (4) weeks in Umuahia, the State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, tasked them to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the building collapse.
The Commissioner stated the terms of reference given to them to include; to report on the immediate and remote causes of the building collapse in Obingwu, Ukwa West; Make recommendations of remedial actions to forestall a re-occurrence; Review of infractions in the collapse of the building in Obingwu Ukwa West, specifically identifying those responsible for the infractions; Review of building practices in Lagos, FCT and any other state; Recommendation of improvements in our building control practices in Abia State; Recommendations for the establishment and management of a fully functional building control test laboratory; Recommendations for the automation of our building control approvals.
Others include: to review of the emergency response in Obingwu and recommendations for improvement; Collection and review of samples collected In Obingwu, Ukwa West; Review of the qualification of personnel/employed in the collapsed building in Obingwu, Ukwa West; and any other relevant recommendations.
The Commissioner used the forum to announce that the recertification of all land title documents has been extended from June 17, 2024 to August 30, 2024, afterwards, with the processing fee per title document still at the cost of N50,000 and payable at the pay point of the Ministry or online via abiapay.com, and from September 1, 2024 would be at the cost of N100,000.
Chaka, maintained that the purpose of the recertification exercise was to review and update plot holders, land documents; upgrade surveys for records from Nigeria/local origin to Universal Traverse Mercator, UTM; update payment of ground rents, taxes and other charges; review allocations; and registration and update of Abia State Social Identity Number, ABSSIN.
According to him, title documents to be submitted includes: Certificates of Occupancy, Deeds of Assignment, Building Leases, Power of Attorney, Allocation letters and other claim on any land or property in the state.
