Abia State Government has commenced a comprehensive aerial mapping exercise covering 4,795.74 square kilometres of land to enhance urban planning, land administration, and efficient implementation of government projects across the State.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this on Tuesday, while briefing Journalists on the outcome of thie week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu stated that the exercise being executed by the Ministry of Lands and Housing includes “a radar and 2D light mapping of Abia, measuring about 2,220 square kilometres”.
“The Ministry of Lands and Housing is conducting an aerial imagery of 4,795.74 square kilometers of space. This includes a radar and 2D light mapping of Abia, measuring about 2,220 square kilometers.
“All these efforts are made to strengthen the efficient delivery of services on the Ministry. With this aerial mapping of our land space, it makes it easier for them to know where one is and areas where government will carry out projects”, Kanu noted.
Addressing the recent collapse of an uncompleted three-storey building around the Low-Cost Housing Estate Umuahia, belonging to Chief Ikechi Emenike, Prince Kanu disclosed that the site engineer has been arrested and is currently assisting the police in their investigations.
The Commissioner assured that the State Government will not tolerate negligence in construction practices and warned that all buildings without proper structural integrity would face regulatory sanctions.
“Government is committed to enforcing building regulations to the letter, and any developer or contractor found flouting these laws will face the full weight of the law”, he said.
Prince Kanu who also gave an update on the State’s ongoing road infrastructural projects, confirmed that the number of road projects under contract now stands at 30, following the completion of the Port Harcourt Road project, which is set for commissioning and assured residents that contractors are doing their best to deliver across all project sites.
He listed three recently completed road projects to include the reconstruction of failed sections of the 5 kilometer stretch Akanu Ibiam–Ohafia Road, maintenance of Eket Street–Niger Road by Calabar in Umuahia, and the construction of Jaja-Wosu Road in Aba.
According to the Commissioner, five new road projects have also been added to the State Government’s construction basket with one in Umuahia and four in Aba.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the iconic Omenuko Bridge and the first phase of construction on Ohanku Road are nearing completion.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, explained that the mapping project involves an “8-centimetre orthophoto capture” of the State’s landmass, as well as a topographical mapping of major cities including Aba and Umuahia.
“With mapping, we will be able to plan better. The mapping gives us a base map, a picture of how things are.
“It helps with the master planning of the State, which is already going on in phases, starting from Aba. It also helps us with our land administration system and the identification of our various assets, from agricultural to security assets”, Chukwumerije explained.
Speaking on the collapsed building, the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr Kingsley Agomoh, said that the government had sealed off the site and evacuated occupants from nearby buildings constructed by the same engineer.
“There are three-storey buildings within that same space. The government has sealed off that site, and a thorough integrity test will also be carried out on the two remaining properties.
“Any reasonable government will ensure that the remaining two are sealed off. Government has also evacuated the people staying there until the investigation is completed”, he said.
Agomoh added that, “Every building above two floors is going to be subjected to an integrity test to assure every citizen that the places you are staying are fully protected.
He also emphasized the need for compliance with approved building plans, warning that the government has zero tolerance for professional misconduct and would sanction defaulters.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, stated that the outcome of the ongoing investigation will determine who will be held accountable.
“If the government agencies or agents failed to do what they were supposed to do, of course, it’s not only the builders that should stand punished. it’s going to be holistic”, Ekeoma stated.
