The Abia State Government has revoked the building permit for Trademore Housing Estate in Ubani, Umuahia, following the discovery 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 said the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) inspected the estate following complaints from residents about persistent flooding and defective structures.

The inspection reportedly uncovered several infractions by the developer, including discrepancies between the original building permit application and the scale of the development subsequently undertaken.

According to the commissioner, the developer initially applied for approval to construct only two buildings: a semi-detached two-bedroom bungalow and a three-bedroom bungalow. However, the project later expanded into a full housing estate.

He added that the application lacked several mandatory planning and regulatory documents required for a development of that nature.

The missing documents included a survey plan, site plan, site analysis report, layout plan, environmental impact assessment report and evidence of payment of administrative fees. The application also lacked 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“In view of the foregoing infractions, the building permit of that estate has been revoked.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 said.

In a related development, Kanu announced that Governor Otti had directed the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to address recurring flooding in Ogurube and Ehimiri layouts in Umuahia.

The committee comprises representatives of the UCDA and the state Ministries of Works, Environment and Lands.

According to the commissioner, the committee has been given two weeks to submit its report and recommend lasting solutions to the flooding challenges affecting the areas.

He said the initiative was part of the state government's efforts to tackle flooding through coordinated planning and intervention involving relevant agencies.

Kanu also disclosed that nine additional Abia indigenes who returned from South Africa had been received by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection within the preceding two weeks.

The returnees comprised one adult male, three mothers, four children and one infant. He said all nine had been successfully reunited with their families.

The commissioner further revealed that the state government was making arrangements to evacuate and repatriate approximately 100 more Abia indigenes from South Africa in the coming weeks.

He said documentation and other necessary preparations for their return were already underway.

On healthcare, the commissioner announced that the Abia State Government had paid N502.1 million in counterpart funding under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

The payment, he said, would enable vulnerable residents to continue accessing healthcare services through the health insurance scheme designed for vulnerable persons.

Kanu also disclosed that a Swedish organisation had facilitated the provision of specialised medical equipment to the state to support trauma-related procedures, including orthopaedic operations and brain and spine surgeries.

The development, he said, would further strengthen the state's capacity to provide specialised medical services and improve access to advanced treatment for residents.

The announcements formed part of the state government's updates on urban development regulation, flood mitigation, the reintegration of returning citizens and efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Abia.