Otti gives landlords in Aba 90 days to get approved building plans, as lighting project his 80 locations
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Property owners in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, who erected buildings without approved building plans have been granted 90 days moratorium to correct the anomaly.
Governor Alex Otti granted the moratorium last Monday during the weekly State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting to enable defaulters who contravened the building code to still pay the old rate to obtain their building approval certificate within the stipulated 90 days.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known at Government House in Umuahia while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the EXCO meeting.
“If they have to pay for it at the new rate, they would complain but the Governor had directed that they pay at the old rate as a way of encouraging them to go ahead and obtain the certificates.
“This of course, is another instance of the Governor’s compassionate disposition towards implementation of government policies and programmes,” Kanu noted.
Giving further clarification on the Governor’s 90-day moratorium, Director-General of Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Mr. Uche Ukeje, described the gesture as “early Christmas gift” from the Governor to Aba landlords.
“His Excellency has approved a 90-day moratorium for property owners that have built houses in Aba without approval.
“Ordinarily, it is a contravention of the building code that should attract charges. But His Excellency has waived that for the next 90 days, starting from September 10, to December 9, 2024,” Ukeje explained.
The GADA Chief Executive added: “If you have any property in Aba: residential, commercial; whatever it is, bring your drawings to the nearest Planning Authority and get your plans documented without paying any contravention fees. So, that is a gift from His Excellency to property owners in Aba. He gave them Christmas gift early.”
On Health, the Commissioner for Information disclosed that Governor’s Otti’s strides in the health sector have earned Abia a participation in an international health conference slated for Ghana.
According to the Commissioner, Abia State was been selected as one of the six states to fly the flag of Nigeria at the Ghana medical symposium.
He said that the programme which is a biphasic-initiative between the World Bank and the Federal Republic of Nigeria is tagged “Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE).”.
Explaining why Abia was chosen, Kanu said “the reason for choosing Abia State is as a result of the focus on the state due to the ongoing reforms in the state in the health sector.”
On provision of infrastructure, Kanu said that 4,346 solar lights already installed across 86 locations within the state in the ongoing Light up Abia Initiative.
He noted that the effort was in fulfillment of the need to make the towns and cities in the state more comfortable for residents and to improve security in all the affected areas.
