No Elevator, No Approval: Abia Bans 3 Storey Building Without Elevators
Emamuzo Iboma, Lagos
In a bold move to enhance safety and improve living standards, the Abia State government has banned approving three-story buildings without elevators.
The state insists that developers include elevators in such buildings to ensure accessibility and prevent structural hazards. Speaking at a training session for the Building Control Unit of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), the agency’s General Manager, Architect Uche Ukeje, emphasised the need for strict compliance with building regulations.
Represented by the Head of the Building Control Unit, Mr. Enyinnaya Romanus, Ukeje stated that the initiative aims to prevent building collapses, protect lives and properties, and promote environmentally friendly construction.
“No developer will get further approval if there are no provisions for elevators in any storey building from three floors upward,” Ukeje warned.
He also stressed that approvals would only be granted for buildings with proper drainage and waste disposal plans. Developers who fail to comply with these regulations face project stalling, arrests, and possible prosecution.
“We don’t want to hear of buildings collapsing and killing people. If you lose a property, you know how much will be involved, especially in this economy,” he added.
With the digitalisation of GADA’s operations, developers can now check their project status online. Additionally, the agency is working with environmental health officials to curb improper waste disposal and prosecute violators.
The Abia State government maintains that the new measures are not meant to frustrate developers but to ensure that all buildings are safe, durable, and habitable for residents.
