Rivers govt begins investigation into collapse of three-storey building

Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, has announced that the state government has launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse of a three-story building under construction at the Iriebe axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The Commissioner made this announcement during an inspection of the collapse site, accompanied by officials from the Greater Port-Harcourt City Development Authority and directors from the ministry.

He reported that no lives were lost in the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, October 29, 2024. However, he expressed regret that the building lacked government approval, which is essential for ensuring structural integrity and safety.

Bipi attributed the building collapse to structural defects, negligence, cutting corners, and the use of substandard materials by the contractor, among other issues.

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He also reiterated his call for property owners and developers to obtain approved building plans from the ministry to enable regular inspections and ensure compliance with building standards and specifications.

The Commissioner added that the government would use this incident as an opportunity to begin sanitizing the building industry in the state, warning that it would crack down on defaulters to prevent further collapses and restore the industry’s reputation.

Meanwhile, the site of the collapsed building has been temporarily sealed by the state government pending the outcome of a joint investigation by the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority.