The Abia State Government has revoked the building permit issued for Trademore Housing Estate, Ubani, Umuahia, following findings of serious planning and regulatory violations.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday and presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu explained that the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) carried out an inspection of the estate after receiving complaints from residents concerning flooding and defective structures.

According to him, the inspection revealed several violations by the developer.

He said the developer had initially applied for a building permit covering only two structures — a semi-detached two-bedroom bungalow and a three-bedroom bungalow — despite the development later expanding into a full housing estate.

The Commissioner further stated that the application did not contain several essential planning and regulatory documents required for such development.

Among the missing documents were a survey plan, site plan, site analysis report, layout plan, environmental impact assessment report, evidence of payment of administrative fees, as well as technical inputs from relevant professionals and government agencies.

“In view of the foregoing infractions, the building permit of that estate has been revoked. Further steps to address the issues arising from this unfortunate situation will be duly communicated to the press,” Kanu stated.

Meanwhile, Kanu disclosed that Governor Otti had directed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee comprising the UCDA and the Ministries of Works, Environment and Lands to find a lasting solution to the recurring flooding affecting Ogurube and Ehimiri layouts in Umuahia.

He said the committee had been given two weeks to submit its report, adding that the government was committed to tackling the flooding through a coordinated intervention.

On the reintegration of returnees from South Africa, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had received nine additional returnees within the previous two weeks.

The group comprised one adult male, three mothers, four children and one infant, all of whom, he said, had been successfully reunited with their families.

Kanu also revealed that the state government was preparing for the evacuation and return of about 100 Abia indigenes from South Africa in the coming weeks, with documentation and other arrangements already underway.

He further announced that the Abia State Government had paid N502.1 million in counterpart funding under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, allowing vulnerable residents to continue accessing the health insurance scheme for vulnerable persons.

The Commissioner added that a Swedish organisation had facilitated the provision of specialised medical equipment to Abia for trauma-related procedures, including orthopaedic, brain and spine surgeries.