The Abia State Government has sealed a building located along a riverbank in the state over concerns about the safety of the structure.
The government also directed tenants occupying the building to vacate immediately to prevent possible loss of lives.
The State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the decision to seal the building was taken as a precautionary measure to avert a possible disaster and fatalities.
The General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, UCDA, Kingsley Agomuo, explained that the building located in Afara had no development approval and was constructed at the edge of a riverbank.
He said officials had inspected the property, engaged its owners and advised all occupants to vacate the building without delay.
Agomuo added that the building had been sealed pending necessary action by the owners.
Meanwhile, the state government said erosion control works were ongoing in Emede Ibeku community, where homes and large portions of land have been affected by gully erosion over the years.
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.