By Sunday Ameh
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development has commended the Greater Aba Development Authority for ordering the controlled demolition of a distressed four-storey building in Aba, Abia State, while urging the state government to conduct a comprehensive structural integrity audit of buildings across the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD praised GADA’s prompt intervention after experts declared the building at No. 71 Clifford Road, Aba, unsafe due to severe foundation defects.
The group lauded GADA’s Building Control Unit, Engineering Department and Town Planning Department for swiftly assessing the structure, evacuating occupants, securing the area and commencing a controlled demolition to avert possible loss of lives and damage to nearby properties.
FENRAD, however, said the incident underscored the need for stronger enforcement of building regulations, warning that many ageing and poorly constructed buildings across Aba and other parts of Abia State could pose similar risks.
The organisation urged the Abia State Government to immediately carry out structural integrity assessments of high-rise and public-use buildings, including schools, hospitals, markets, hotels, worship centres and residential apartments, particularly older structures showing signs of distress.
It also called for increased technical capacity for GADA and other regulatory agencies, stricter enforcement of building standards, routine inspections, compulsory soil investigations before approving multi-storey buildings, and the digitisation of building approval and compliance systems.
FENRAD further advocated the establishment of an independent Building Safety Review Committee and an emergency reporting platform for residents to report signs of structural defects.
The group also demanded a thorough investigation into the cause of the structural failure at the Clifford Road building, urging authorities to hold accountable any individual or institution found culpable for negligence or violations of building regulations.
It stressed that building safety is a fundamental human rights issue and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental justice, public safety and sustainable urban development through continued collaboration with government agencies, professional bodies and civil society organisations.
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