Payment of Assessment Fee Does Not Mean Building Permit – Anambra Physical Planning Ministry Clarifies
By Ruth Orji
The Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has warned developers that payment of an assessment fee does not amount to approval or confer the right to commence building work.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, gave the clarification in a statement issued on August 24, following reports of developers mistaking assessment payments for building approval.
According to him, Section 19 of the Physical Planning Regulations clearly provides that the assessment fee is only an application fee and does not constitute the granting of a building permit.
The Commissioner explained that the Ministry may also raise administrative queries where proposed developments violate approved building coverage requirements or lack the necessary certification from COREN registered engineers or ARCON registered architects.
He therefore urged developers to obtain the required approval before commencing or continuing any development, stressing that a receipt for assessment payment is not a building permit.
