In a bold stride toward modernization and safety, the Abia State Government has launched a sweeping aerial mapping exercise covering over 4,795 square kilometres of the State’s landscape. This is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing urban development, land administration, and infrastructure planning.
The announcement came from the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing .
According to Prince Kanu, the mapping operation currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Lands and Housing — includes high-resolution radar and 2D light detection mapping over 2,220 square kilometres of the State, enabling precise spatial data collection and digital land modeling.
“This is not just about charts and maps. It is about laying the groundwork for effective governance identifying every inch of our land and ensuring that every project is guided by reliable data,” Kanu stated.
Providing technical insight, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, revealed that the project includes an 8-centimetre orthophoto capture , a cutting-edge tool that will serve as the base layer for Abia’s evolving master plan.
“This mapping allows us to see the state as it truly is from Aba to Umuahia. It informs everything: land use, environmental management, agricultural zoning, security logistics, and more. It’s the start of a smarter Abia,” Chukwumerije said.
With the mapping already underway in key urban areas, he affirmed that Aba is the pilot zone for a new era of structured development and strategic growth.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of a devastating building collapse at the Low-Cost Housing Estate in Umuahia , the government has moved swiftly, ordering the arrest of the site engineer and launching a full investigation.
Prince Kanu confirmed the arrest and emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate any form of negligence or professional misconduct in the building sector.
“The lives of our citizens are not negotiable. Every structure must pass the test 
of planning, of design, of integrity. Those who cut corners will face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.
Adding to this, UCDA General Manager, Mr Kingsley Agomoh, disclosed that two nearby buildings constructed by the same engineer have been sealed, while residents have been evacuated for their safety. The government, he said, has ordered immediate integrity assessments on all such structures across the State.
“Any building above two floors will now undergo integrity testing. Safety is not optional — it’s policy,”
In a rare show of transparency and internal scrutiny, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, made it clear that the government’s investigation will not stop at the site engineer.
“If it is discovered that government officials or agencies failed in their duties, they too will be held accountable. We will not shield anyone. Responsibility must be collective,” Ekeoma declared
Amid these reforms, the State’s infrastructure momentum remains strong. Prince Kanu announced that 30 road projects are currently under active contract, with Port Harcourt Road fully completed and scheduled for commissioning.
Recent milestones include:
- Rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam–Ohafia Road (5km stretch)
- Maintenance of Eket Street–Niger Road in Umuahia
- Completion of Jaja–Wosu Road in Aba
He also revealed that five additional roads — one in Umuahia and four in Aba — have been awarded, while construction on the iconic Omenuko Bridge and Phase One of Ohanku Road are nearing conclusion.
As Abia maps her future and inspects her foundations, the government’s dual commitment to smart development and public safety sends a powerful message: in Governor Otti’s Abia, excellence is non-negotiable, and negligence has no refuge.
