The Ebonyi State Government, through the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Planning, has issued a 21-day eviction notice to occupants of a dilapidated building at No. 27 Ejiofor Street, Abakaliki, over environmental pollution and public health concerns.
The Honourable Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Planning, Hon. Richard Ugo Idike, announced the directive during an inspection of the property alongside the ministry’s task force team.
During the inspection, Idike expressed concern over the deplorable condition of the building’s toilet and wastewater disposal system, which he said had become a source of environmental pollution and discomfort to residents in the neighbourhood.
Findings at the scene indicated that wastewater from the building’s toilets spilled into drainage channels serving neighbouring properties whenever the facilities were flushed, rather than being properly channelled into a functional soakaway system.
The commissioner described the situation as unhygienic and unacceptable, warning that the improper disposal of toilet waste could expose residents to serious environmental and public health risks.
He stressed that the state government would not tolerate practices that endanger public health, compromise environmental sanitation or undermine efforts to maintain a clean and habitable state capital.
Consequently, the ministry directed all occupants of the affected building to vacate the premises within 21 days to enable the necessary corrective measures to be undertaken.
The property owner was also served a formal notice to renovate the building and rectify the identified structural and sanitation deficiencies.
The notice warned that failure to comply with the directive could attract further enforcement measures, including a removal or demolition order, in line with applicable regulations.
Idike further expressed concern over reports that the deteriorating condition of the building and the persistent discharge of wastewater had contributed to sanitation and health-related challenges for residents in the surrounding area.
He reiterated the state government’s determination to enforce building regulations, promote proper waste management and protect residents from environmental hazards associated with unsafe structures and poorly maintained sanitation facilities.
The commissioner urged landlords, property developers and residents across the state capital to maintain their buildings in good condition and ensure that toilets, drainage channels and wastewater disposal systems were properly constructed and managed.
He emphasised that property owners had a responsibility to ensure that their buildings did not constitute a threat to the health, safety and well-being of their neighbours.
The Ministry of Capital City and Urban Planning reaffirmed its commitment to sustained inspection and enforcement operations aimed at identifying and addressing buildings that violate approved construction standards, environmental sanitation requirements and urban development regulations.
The ministry also cautioned property owners against neglecting their statutory responsibilities, stressing that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on defaulters in the interest of public health, environmental protection, public safety and the orderly development of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Post a Comment