The Ebonyi State Government has sealed the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office along Ezza Road in Abakaliki over alleged non-compliance with approved building plans and development regulations.
The property, which is being converted from a former CBN office into a hotel, was sealed on Wednesday following an inspection by officials of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Capital City Regional and Urban Planning and the Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue Service.
The enforcement exercise was led by the Commissioner for Capital City Regional and Urban Planning, Hon. Richard Ugo Idike, alongside the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Rt. Hon. Christopher Omo Isu, ministry officials and members of the ministry’s task force.
During the inspection, officials found that the ongoing conversion of the former CBN facility into a hotel had not obtained the required building approval from the relevant authorities.
Following the discovery, Commissioner Idike ordered the immediate sealing of the property in line with the state’s physical planning and urban development control regulations.
The commissioner said the Ebonyi State Government remained committed to promoting orderly physical development, effective urban planning and compliance with approved building standards across Abakaliki and other parts of the state.
He stressed that property owners and developers must obtain the necessary approvals before beginning construction work or changing the approved use of an existing property.
Idike also warned developers against carrying out construction or property conversion projects without the required government approvals.
According to him, the ministry will continue to monitor developments within the state and enforce relevant regulations to prevent uncontrolled and unplanned development.
The ministry’s management and task force members also called on property owners and developers to cooperate with the government by regularising their properties and obtaining the necessary planning and building approvals before commencing construction or conversion projects.
The sealing of the former CBN office is part of the Ebonyi State Government’s ongoing development control measures aimed at promoting a safe, orderly and properly planned Abakaliki Capital City.
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