By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has said that it will commence demolition of dilapidated buildings in different parts of the State. Speaking, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, Esq., said that the Ministry is identifying these dilapidated buildings and notifying the owners of the status of the building in line with the requirements of the law. “The Ministry has authority to identify dilapidated buildings and notify the owners of the building of the fact of the dilapidation.” The Commissioner also noted that the Ministry is keeping a register of dilapidated buildings in Anambra State across the LGAs. “The Ministry has formally opened a register of dilapidated buildings in all the local governments of the state,” Ojukwu said.
In the meantime, the Commissioner noted that the Ministry has begun to issue occupants of the identified dilapidated buildings a 14-day notice to vacate, as prescribed by the law. However, when such occupants refuse to vacate at the end of the legally required notice, the law demands that the Ministry “use reasonable force to vacate them and proceed with the demolition of all such dilapidated buildings and to recover the cost from the owners,” Mr. Ojukwu noted.
So far, the Ministry of Physical Planning has identified many dilapidated buildings, particularly on Iweka Road, Onitsha; Bida Street, Onitsha; Hundred Foot Road, Nnewi; and in other parts of the State. “We are making plans to see that these buildings are brought down in the interest of public safety,” the Commissioner assured.
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