By Isaac Mission 

The Abia State Government has sealed a building constructed along a river bank in Afara, Umuahia, citing safety concerns and the risk of a possible disaster.

The state government also directed residents occupying the property to leave immediately to avoid potential loss of lives.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia on decisions reached during the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the government took the action as part of measures to prevent fatalities associated with buildings located in unsafe areas.

Providing further details, the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Kingsley Agomuo, said the affected building had no development approval and was constructed dangerously close to the river.

Agomuo explained that officials of the authority had inspected the property, advised the occupants to vacate and subsequently sealed the building.

He said the owners of the property had also been contacted and were being encouraged to take the necessary steps regarding the structure.

The commissioner further disclosed that the state government was addressing erosion challenges in Emede Ibeku community, where years of gully erosion had destroyed portions of residential areas and affected lands.

According to the government, ongoing erosion control interventions are aimed at protecting communities and reducing further damage to properties and infrastructure.

In another development, the Abia State Government announced plans to distribute three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to residents as part of efforts to combat malaria across the state.