The Abia State administration has officially declared that developers must secure soil and geotechnical certification before they can receive building permits. This new policy serves as a direct reaction to a series of building failures recently observed in Aba, Umuahia, and Ikwuano.
Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, spoke after a state executive council meeting led by Governor Alex Otti. He emphasized that these tests are essential to confirm the stability of the ground before any construction begins. Furthermore, the state is taking action against environmental hazards, such as clearing drainage systems in Umuahia and launching a rapid response to mitigate severe gully erosion in the Emede Ibeku community.
Kingsley Agomoh, General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), noted that his agency has already flagged numerous structures showing dangerous defects. He highlighted that the building that failed on Finbars Road on July 17, 2026, had already been sealed by officials the previous month due to safety concerns. Additionally, authorities have ordered the owners of a compromised property located on Niger Road to proceed with a controlled demolition.
