The Ebonyi State Government on Wednesday sealed an unapproved building project at the former CBN office along Ezza Road, Abakaliki, which was being converted into a hotel warning developers to always stick to the government approved building plans.

Enforcing the sealing of the structure the Ministry of Capital City Regional and Urban Planning in collaboration with Board of Internal Revenue Services said that the structure did not follow the due process and building plans as stated by the government.

The enforcement action was carried out by the Honourable Commissioner for Capital City Regional and Urban Planning, Hon. Richard Ugo Idike, alongside the Chairman Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue Services Rt. Hon. Christopher Omo Isu, management staff of the Ministry and members of the Ministry’s Taskforce Team.

The team, during an inspection of the property, observed that the ongoing conversion of the former CBN office into a hotel was being carried out without the requisite building approval from the appropriate authorities.

Following the discovery, the Commissioner directed that the property be sealed in accordance with the state’s physical planning and Urban development control regulations.

Hon. Richard Ugo Idike reiterated the commitment of the state government to ensuring orderly physical development, proper urban planning and strict compliance with approved building standards within the Abakaliki Capital City and other parts of the state.

He stressed that property owners and developers must obtain the necessary approvals before commencing construction or changing the use of an existing structure.

The Commissioner further warned developers against undertaking projects without approval, noting that the Ministry would continue its monitoring and enforcement activities to safeguard the capital city from uncontrolled and unplanned development.

The Ministry management staff and Taskforce Team also urged developers and property owners to cooperate with the government by regularising their properties and obtaining the necessary planning and building approvals before embarking on construction or conversion projects.

The sealing of the former CBN office forms part of the ongoing efforts by the Ebonyi State Government to enforce development control regulations and promote a properly planned, safe and orderly Abakaliki Capital City.