The Abia State Government has revoked the building permit for Trademore Housing Estate in Ubani, Umuahia, citing planning and regulatory violations discovered at the estate.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said investigations by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) uncovered several infractions by the estate developer. The findings came about a week after residents protested in Umuahia over flooding and other infrastructural challenges in the estate.

According to the commissioner, the estate’s application lacked critical planning and regulatory documents, including a survey plan, site plan, site analysis report, layout plan and Environmental Impact Assessment report.

The application also reportedly lacked evidence of payment of administrative fees and technical inputs from relevant professionals and government agencies.

“Consequently, in view of the foregoing infractions, the building permit of that estate has been revoked,” Kanu said, adding that further steps to address the issues would be communicated to the public.

The state government also disclosed that it had taken measures to reduce health risks and prevent disease outbreaks in communities affected by flooding, particularly areas where homes and farmlands were destroyed.

On the situation of Abia indigenes in South Africa, Kanu said the government had received nine additional returnees and reunited them with their families.

He added that the state was preparing to support the evacuation and return of about 100 more Abia indigenes from South Africa in the coming weeks.