ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Government has issued a Notice to Stop Work on thirteen construction projects in Asaba and environs, for contravening urban development policies in the state.
The State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Michael Anoka, gave the directive when he led a delegation to ascertain the level of compliance to the Ministry’s building specifications at building and construction sites in Asaba, the state capital.
The Commissioner said the visit to the sites was in accordance with the realistic reforms and meaningful development policies of the administration.
Similarly, the State Director of Town Planning, Mr. Victor Ogbugo, explained that the visit was aimed at addressing incidents of building collapse and to sensitize the developers to comply with the urban renewal policies of the government.
“Sometimes they deviate from approval thinking that it does not matter, or we will not see it.
“Because issues of building collapse are more of even engineering; structural. So, the Ministry is looking into how to tackle the menace overall.”
The General Manager, Urban and Regional Planning Board Mr Peter Amaduobogha, faulted the illegal development at a 34 hectare of improperly documented land in Asaba, where the former Abraka market was located.
“We gave all of them all the enforcement notices.
“In fact, we stopped those buildings you are seeing there.”
A civil construction engineer at a site faulted for lack of a building plan and proper distance between other buildings, reacted to the Notice to Stop Work on the project.
He said “This is my working drawing there. But what you will tell me is am not with the approved drawing.
“My boss was here few minutes ago, and it’s in his car.”
Some of the construction sites visited include the International Modern Market Asaba, some unapproved blocks of shops at Okoh Market, two filling stations, and a two floor building, with inadequate set back among others.
