GADA Urges Ugwunagbo Residents to Partner with Government on Urban Development

The Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) has continued its sensitization campaign on the new Aba Master Plan, calling on residents and stakeholders in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area to partner with government agencies to ensure a properly planned, safe, and livable environment.

The campaign, which is part of efforts to deliver a world-class city under the Greater Aba vision of the Abia State Government, brought together traditional rulers, town planners, community leaders, and residents in the LGA.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General of GADA, Uche Ukeje, the Director of Administration, Ehite Maxwell, said the purpose of the tour was to engage communities directly in the planning process.

“There can be no meaningful development without synergy between government and the community,” Maxwell said. “We want to work with the people to develop the environment in a way that guarantees better living standards.”

The District Town Planning Officer of Ugwunagbo LGA, Nkemdirim Nwankudu Victor, highlighted the key roles of town planners, including environmental protection, zoning regulation, infrastructure development, and building control.

“Building plan approval is not just a formality; it is necessary to ensure buildings are structurally safe and environmentally sustainable,” Nwankudu stated.

He urged the people of Ugwunagbo to embrace the work of townplannners and to obtain building approvals to reap fully it’s benefits.

Also Read: GADA Urges Landowners and Developers to Formalize Properties

Also speaking at the event, Kelechi Uzuegbu, the Desk Officer of the Greater Aba Master Plan and representative of UN-Habitat, described the master plan as a strategic policy document designed to guide physical development in Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Osisioma, and Ugwunagbo LGAs.

“This master plan will be the roadmap for managing land use, infrastructure, housing, and commercial activities across the Aba metropolis,” Uzuegbu explained. “It is a policy document that ensures coordinated growth and infrastructure development in the metropolis,” he added.

Other speakers, including GADA’s Director of Town Planning, Okechukwu Okpara; the District Town Planning Officer of Osisioma Zone A, Zokuba Ekechi; his Aba South counterpart, Dr. Chinwe Ekwuribe, and that of Obingwa LGA, Emeka John Agomoh, all emphasized the need for residents to formalize their property documents.

“When a property is documented and approved, it carries strong legal backing,” said Okpara. “It also helps in ensuring orderly and equitable development.”

The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije, represented by Dr. Orji Inyama, encouraged residents to take advantage of the state government’s Certificate of Occupancy in 30 Days initiative to properly register their land titles.

During the first stop at the palace of HRH Eze Chris Ajuzie, the Nso II of Mbaso Amasa Autonomous Community and Chairman of the Ugwunagbo Council of Traditional Rulers, the royal father lauded GADA for the sensitization initiative and pledged the community’s cooperation.

“Governor Alex Otti has proven doubters wrong through his performance in the last two years. We are happy to support this developmental agenda,” Eze Ajuzie said.

At the second stop, the traditional ruler of Ngwa Ọma Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Chimaeze Ogbonna, also pledged full cooperation with GADA and commended the governor’s ongoing reconstruction of Ohanku Road.

Community stakeholders made several demands during the engagement, including the rebuilding of the Ihie Police Station destroyed in a past attack, citing of higher institutions in Ugwunagbo, and development of idle government land in the area. They also rejected a proposed trailer park in Ihie, suggesting the land be used for schools or other public facilities instead.

They urged GADA field officers to engage more closely with traditional institutions, especially when visiting for enforcement and monitoring operations.

Stakeholders also appealed for the reduction of land and housing documentation and approval costs to make the process more affordable and encourage wider compliance among residents.

The sensitization campaign continues across the remaining LGAs in the Aba metropolis.

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