Anambra State Launches “Operation Show Your Building Permit”

Anambra State, located in southeastern Nigeria, has taken a bold step in tackling the issue of illegal structures that have plagued the state for years. In a comprehensive operation coined “Operation Show Your Building Permit,” the state government has initiated a systematic demolition of unauthorized buildings, aiming to ensure public safety and enforce strict adherence to building regulations.

According to the Chairman, Anambra State Physical Planning Board ( ASPPB), Barrister Chike Maduekwe, said, Operation “Show Your Building Permit” is a carefully planned and meticulously executed campaign aimed at reinforcing building permit regulations across the state. The operation involves a comprehensive assessment and eventual demolition of structures lacking the necessary permits, regardless of their size or status. Through this approach, the government intends to ensure that all buildings meet required safety standards, zoning regulations, and environmental impact assessments.

Speaking at a demolition exercise where illegal perimeter fences and shanties were removed in Woliwo Fegge in Onitsha South Local Government Area, of the state, the ASPPB Chairman, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, noted that the operation was designed to enforce compliance with building codes and regulations because many builders and developers have been constructing without approval, thereby taking the government for granted.

” We recently announced several directives about “Operations Show Your Building Permit,” we suspended any ongoing development. Those we have building permit must come for a validation, those who don’t have must come for approval.

“What we are saying is that a lot of people take government for granted, they just start a building, fencing and most times, the reason why they don’t come is because either the land is in dispute and they do not have the proper document.”

Speaking on the challenges faced by the enforcement in a previous visits to the site, Barr. Maduekwe said that the team encountered resistance from thugs and allegedly paid policemen.

” Our staff go round to make sure buildings are are built according to the code and government regulations and they were here last week but thugs and alleged fake policemen threatened and chased them away. We will arrest them and send them to court because this demolition costs a lot of money. We have stated clearly that you cannot build anything again in this state, even fence, without approval.

“The Governor has said he will not allow anybody to intimidate any government official any more. We are sending out a message to the developers that government is not playing but organising for the people’s welfare. The Governor is trying to regenerate the state especially Onitsha but you see people building anyhow without approval, but it will not be tolerated again. Building environment must be safe and people must operate according to the law.

“From now on, any development brought up without approval will be brought down because we have sent enough messages and signals to these people and they have been ignoring them, that’s why we here and it has started as there will be lots of reinforcement in coming weeks, all coming from the governor, Soludo.

“We have given developers in the state a window of August 1 to October 31 to bring their building permit or face enforcement after that.”