ABSG APPROVES SETTING UP OF STANDARD MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY, TO CLOSE ILLEGAL GATES ON UMUAHIA STREETS
The Abia State Executive Council has approved the setting up of Standard Materials Testing Laboratory in Umuahia.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing journalists in Government House, Umuahia on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti OFR. According to the Commissioner, the setting up of the the Standard Materials Testing Laboratory is necessitated by the incessant collapse of buildings in Nigeria with the attendant humam and material loses.
“This government is trying to ensure that such instances do not occur in our State. The lab may include where they test materials for road construction. It will also provide a platform for a research for those who want to carry out research in such areas . They will be able to use such a facility to carry out research when you want to test materials”
Throwing more light on the Standard Materials Testing Laboratory, the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo explained that it is an initiative government feels is very important in it’s overall infrastructural development plan.
“This is also going to assist us to ensure that every building, road construction including bridges meet the required standards. You are also aware that the use of substandard materials is the order of the day, so with this, it’s going to be pretty difficult for you to start any construction work and get any approval at any stage without subjecting the materials you are going to use to test through this laboratory”
Mr. Agumuo, who said that the lab would also be set up in other areas of the State maintained that it has the capacity to handle soil test , reinforcement of rods ,aggregate materials and asphalt. He said it is not something that is restricted to building materials alone but will include other forms of construction.
In another development, Abia State Government says all illegal gates within Umuahia city will be removed to enhance free flow of traffic within the state capital.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey Kanu also disclosed that,
“As it is usual with our style, the streets and areas where these gates exist have been identified and the people living in the affected areas have been pleaded with to do the needful by providing access. If they don’t do so , government will enforce compliance. He added that those illegal gates impede movements in times of emergencies .
He also added that , that attachments to buildings or extensions to buildings must be equally removed from affected buildings within the state capital . He said,
“if you look round the city, you would see a lot of buildings that bear extensions or attachments as the case may be that have been converted to shops”. Government frowns at this and going forward , the state government expect buildings serve their purpose , be they commercial or residential. We expect those involved to urgently do the needful and remove these stalls,failing which government would enforce compliance.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture Sir Chris Onwuegbu and the State Director of Information, Mrs. Ugochi Ihediwa were present at the briefing.
Azubuike Jinanwa/Divine Nwankwo
Govt. House Press, Umuahia
