Anambra Unveils Major Reforms to Curb Quack Developers, Land Grabbers

By Ndife David, Awka

The Anambra State Government has unveiled far-reaching reforms aimed at restructuring the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, tightening regulations against fraudulent developers, land grabbers, quacks, and other unqualified practitioners operating within the construction and built-environment sector.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, announced the measures during a strategic engagement with representatives of key professional bodies in the built-environment sector across the state.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), and the Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) to discuss practical strategies for strengthening development control, enforcing professional standards, and enhancing regulatory compliance in the sector.
Ojukwu stated that the reforms are in line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building a modern, orderly, resilient, and sustainable urban environment driven by effective planning, professional competence, and strict adherence to established regulations.
He observed that although the Structure Plans for Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi were developed in 2009, inadequate legal backing, institutional weaknesses, and poor implementation mechanisms had hindered their full execution over the years.
According to the commissioner, the state government is determined to reverse the trend by ensuring strict compliance with approved development plans and planning regulations to promote coordinated urban growth, protect public infrastructure, and curb indiscriminate construction activities across the state.
As part of the reform agenda, the government is reviewing relevant laws to criminalize land grabbing, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and restrict participation in the sector to licensed developers and duly certified professionals.
Ojukwu further disclosed plans to criminalize and impose sanctions on the engagement of quacks and unqualified persons in building and construction projects, stressing that the measure is necessary to safeguard lives and property, improve construction quality, and promote sustainable infrastructure development.
He emphasized the need for professionals operating within the sector to maintain valid registrations and certifications with their respective regulatory bodies, while also calling for stronger collaboration among practitioners, clients, developers, and government agencies to uphold professional ethics and industry standards.
The commissioner also announced that all construction sites across the state would henceforth be required to display project information boards containing relevant project details.
He added that the ministry’s Building Development Control Team would intensify monitoring, inspections, and enforcement activities to ensure compliance with planning regulations and approved building standards.
According to him, the reforms are designed not only to improve physical planning and urban development but also to create safer, more organized, and environmentally sustainable communities throughout Anambra State.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of theAnambra Unveils Major Reforms to Curb Quack Developers, Land Grabbers Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Ikenna Michael Onuorah, alongside town planning professionals Emma Ifemedebe and Mmaduakonam Amaechina, commended the ministry for its ongoing efforts to reposition the sector and strengthen regulatory oversight.
They expressed support for the government’s initiatives, describing them as timely interventions capable of promoting professionalism, accountability, transparency, and sustainable urban development across the state.
The stakeholders noted that the measures would significantly strengthen compliance with planning regulations, improve the quality and safety of the built environment, reduce the incidence of structural failures, and contribute to orderly, inclusive, and sustainable growth in Anambra State.