Anambra state government will next year commence operation show your building permit with penalties of two million for defaulters who also stand a jail sentence.
Managing Director Physical Planning Board Anambra State, Hon. Chike Mmaduegwe made this revelation while answering questions from reporters after appearing before the assembly committees on Finance and Appropration Chaired by Hon. Ejike Okechukwu and Committee on lands, survey and town planning chaired by Jude Akpua, during the budget defense and bilateral discussion.
Mmaduegwe while outlining some of the challenges currently facing the agency, expressed optimism that next year will be more productive.
According to Mmaduegwe, “We have the authority to approve plans for buildings, do development control and enforcement operations against those who chose not to obey the law.
“Our budget increased because we need to train our staff, pay salaries and development control.
“Unless we have problem with a sight, one month is enough for approval. We need to get back authomated portal in order to do approval.
“We are going to be stringent on those who have commenced building without approval by giving them one month notice.
” If we come for oversight and noticed that someone built without approval, and discovered that the sight is approvable, we will approve it but their will be a penalty.
” The law provides a backing for us to charge defalters to court. And if we have done inforcement, we should recover the cost.
” Government has directed that if a building is built without approval, even if its a story building, it will come down because nobody is above the law.
” Most of the defaulters were warnesd from the foundation stage but they still insist, after which they plead for mercy but no government operates like that.
” Government must protect the interest of the majority. We are appealing to ndi Anambra to support the urban regeneration initiative of Governor Chukwuma Soludo who is determined in making sure that Anambra into a livable and prosperous mega city” Mmaduegwe concluded.
