From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Anambra State Government has directed property owners and developers to comply strictly with statutory building setbacks along highways and expressways, warning that structures erected within designated road corridors will face enforcement measures.
The directive, contained in a public notice issued by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to orderly urban development in line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building a livable and prosperous Anambra.
According to the notice, the enforcement is backed by Section 10 of the Anambra State Physical Planning Regulation No. 10 of 2015, which prescribes minimum setbacks for developments along major roads across the state.
Under the regulation, buildings along highways must maintain a minimum setback of six metres from the road’s right of way, while developments on expressways are required to be at least 42.55 metres from the right of way or 55 metres from the median centre line.
Ojukwu urged members of the public, particularly developers and landowners, to ensure full compliance with the law before embarking on any construction, stressing that adherence to planning standards remains critical to sustainable urban growth.
He also warned against the erection of illegal buildings, shanties and other obstructions within road setbacks, describing such developments as violations of the state’s physical planning regulations.
The commissioner said the government would not tolerate encroachments on designated road corridors, reiterating its resolve to remove all illegal structures obstructing the right of way as part of efforts to promote safer, better-planned and more resilient communities across Anambra State.
