Over 150 Lives Lost in Mokwa Flood

Dr. Samson Opaluwah, chairman of CORBON, spoke after a tragic flood in Mokwa, Niger State, which killed more than 150 people. He offered his sympathy to the families affected and urged leaders at all levels to act fast. He stressed that yearly floods are not surprising they happen regularly and should be expected.

We Know the Problem Now Act

According to Dr. Opaluwah, Nigeria’s rainy and dry seasons are predictable. That’s why he believes local, state, and federal governments must have clear flood prevention plans each year. Instead of always reacting after damage has been done, he urged a shift toward preparing ahead of time.

He also called on the Ministry of Environment and climate agencies to stop delaying action. Nigeria has enough experts to handle the challenge what’s missing is urgency and proper coordination.

Niger and Benue Rivers: Wasted Opportunities

Dr. Opaluwah pointed out that Nigeria is blessed with two large rivers, the Niger and Benue. These should be valuable assets for trade, tourism, and transport. Instead, because they are not properly managed, they turn into threats during heavy rains. He believes this failure is a missed chance for both safety and economic growth.

Building in the Wrong Places

Another major cause of flooding, according to CORBON, is the ongoing construction of buildings on floodplains. When water bodies overflow, they need space to flow. But when homes and structures block that space, floods destroy everything in their way.

Opaluwah said planning authorities must stop allowing buildings in unsafe areas. They should also design cities with better drainage and safer layouts. If homes are already sitting in risky zones, they must either be properly protected or moved out.

The Way Forward

He urged state governments to make better use of the Ecological Fund, which is meant for problems like this. He also promised that CORBON is ready to support any government that wants real, long-term solutions not just quick fixes.

Flooding in Nigeria doesn’t have to keep happening. With smarter planning and the right actions, lives can be saved and communities protected

The post Builders Slam Poor Planning as Root of Nigeria’s Flood Crisis appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The operation, led by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), targeted properties at No. 28 and 20 Ramlat Timson Street in Coker Aguda, Surulere, and another building on Oloko Dana Street, Abule Nla, Apapa. LASBCA announced the development via its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday.

The agency described the buildings as dangerously unstable, with visible signs of structural defects, including cracked cantilevers, exposed reinforcement rods, and unauthorized alterations. Accompanying images and videos showed parts of the buildings crumbling under minimal pressure, emphasizing their deteriorated state.

LASBCA has ramped up efforts to address substandard and unsafe structures across Lagos. These actions include sealing non-compliant buildings, evacuating occupants from high-risk properties, and demolishing irreparably weak structures.

Recent initiatives include the evacuation of occupants from a critically distressed building in Gbagada in October and issuing demolition notices to residents of over 15 unsafe structures at Iponri Housing Estate.

The agency also supervises ongoing construction projects to ensure adherence to approved building plans, aiming to maintain high construction standards and prevent disasters.

LASBCA reiterated its dedication to safeguarding lives and property by enforcing compliance with building safety regulations. Officials have warned that ignoring structural defects could lead to catastrophic consequences and urged property owners to prioritize safety.

As Lagos continues its urban development drive, the government remains committed to addressing building safety concerns to ensure a secure environment for all residents.

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Lagos Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, has advised property owners and developers to get planning licenses before beginning work and adhere to the terms of their permissions.

He spoke to tackle the widespread contempt for physical planning regulations across the state, vowing that no sacred cows would be spared in the application of the law to the benefit of a living and sustainable built environment.

Here are the documents required when applying for building approval:

1. Five original copies of architectural drawings duly stamped and sealed with a stamp endorsed by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). 

2. Five original copies of structural drawings duly signed, sealed and dated together with a letter of supervision from an engineer registered with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), confirming that the building is constructed according to good standards and under the supervision of the engineer who will be responsible for any failures or defects on the project
3. Calculation sheet for the materials to be used for the project, duly signed by the COREN registered engineer
4. Evidence of payment of assessment fees due on the application
5. Five Original copies of the mechanical and electrical drawings (if applicable)
6. Certified true copy of title documents (i.e. certificate of occupancy, registered conveyance, governor’s consent or letter of allocation)
7. Confirmation/Clearance letter from the Lands Bureau if title documents are being processed by the Lands Bureau (if applicable)
8. Clearance letter from the Land Use Allocation Committee (LUAC) (if applicable)
9. Fire safety clearance letter from Lagos State Fire Service (if applicable)
10. Metroline corridor clearance letter from Lagos State Ministry of Transport (if applicable)
11. Traffic impact assessment report from the Lagos State Ministry of Transport (if applicable)
12. Drainage clearance letter from the Office of Drainage Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment (if applicable)
13. Copy of a confirmation letter from New Towns Development Authority (if applicable)
14. Soil test report (if applicable)

READ ALSO: Abia Gov’t Commences Demolition of 130 Buildings as Otti Flags off Road Expansion Project
15. Environmental impact assessment report from the Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment (if applicable)
16. Letter of structural stability/integrity report duly signed by a COREN registered engineer (in case of a construction/renovation of an existing building)
17. Physical Planning Technical Report from the Physical Development Intervention Department of LASPPPA (if applicable).
18. Clearance letter from the Nigerian Air and Civil Aviation (if applicable)
19. Clearance letter from LASURA (if applicable)
20. An original sun-print survey plan
21. Tenement rate or land use charge receipt, or sworn affidavit as to payment in lieu of receipts
22. 2 passport photographs of the applicant(s)
23. Copy of current tax clearance certificate or evidence of updated personal income tax payment of the applicant(s) or tax clearance certificate of 2 directors if applicant is a company
24. Evidence of Pay As You Earn (P.A.Y.E) returns (where applicant is a company)
25. Copy of certificate of incorporation (where the applicant is a company)
26. Development levy receipt
27. Site photograph

Source: The Nation Newspaper

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This is even as demolition of marked structures along the proposed road has commenced.

In his address while flagging off the project, Otti explained that the road expansion was in line with his administration’s plan to transform the state capital city into a modern town.

He pointed out that the road, when completed, would give the Abia capital a new face and enhance its beauty.

Otti who listed some challenges he encountered during the conceptualizing period the project, said some villagers pleaded that that they should be allowed to exhume and re-bury their dead relatives.

He informed Abians that owners of 130 structures marked for demolition have already been compensated.

Read Also: Rising Inflation Forces Estate Developers To Renegotiate Projects

In his speech, Eze Emelike Chiabuotu of Ossah community commended the governor for commencing the construction of a major road project from his kingdom, saying that when completed, the project would transform his area.

Meanwhile, bulldozers from Abia State Ministry of Works in Umuahia and officials of Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, have swung into action, demolishing the structures marked by the Ministry of Works.

The demolition squad which kicked off its assignment at Okigwe Motor Park beside Michael Okpara Square, was seen bringing down buildings with heavy duty equipment even as some affected property owners dashed to salvage valuables from the demolished houses.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has flagged off the construction of a six-lane road project in Umuahia, aimed at opening up the capital city for development.

This is even as demolition of marked structures along the proposed road has commenced.

In his address while flagging off the project, Otti explained that the road expansion was in line with his administration’s plan to transform the state capital city into a modern town.

He pointed out that the road, when completed, would give the Abia capital a new face and enhance its beauty.

Otti who listed some challenges he encountered during the conceptualizing period the project, said some villagers pleaded that that they should be allowed to exhume and re-bury their dead relatives.

He informed Abians that owners of 130 structures marked for demolition have already been compensated.

In his speech, Eze Emelike Chiabuotu of Ossah community commended the governor for commencing the construction of a major road project from his kingdom, saying that when completed, the project would transform his area.

Meanwhile, bulldozers from Abia State Ministry of Works in Umuahia and officials of Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, have swung into action, demolishing the structures marked by the Ministry of Works.

The demolition squad which kicked off its assignment at Okigwe Motor Park beside Michael Okpara Square, was seen bringing down buildings with heavy duty equipment even as some affected property owners dashed to salvage valuables from the demolished houses.

Some owners of the demolished structures, especially those at Okigwe Motor Park, were observed shedding tears as the bulldozers crushed their properties.

Read Also: Minister Umahi Launches New Team to Manage Contracts for HDMI

Source: Dailypost.

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