Two-storey building under construction collapses in Benin

A two-storey building under construction has collapsed in Benin City, Edo State, raising fresh concerns over the increasing incidence of unsafe building practices and the use of substandard construction materials.

The building, located on Gospel Avenue, off Adesuwa Road in Oredo Local Government Area, reportedly caved in during the early hours of Thursday, narrowly averting what could have been a major tragedy.

A resident of the area, Mr Jonathan Bitrus, said the structure collapsed at about 2:00 a.m. or 2:15 a.m., noting that the foundation was not strong enough to support a two-storey building.

According to him, warning signs had been evident, as the foundation appeared inadequate for the weight and design of the structure.

Reacting to the incident, the Edo State Government condemned the use of substandard materials in the construction of the building and ordered the immediate sealing of the property.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Vincent Uwadiae, who visited the scene, expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the collapse.

“Let me first thank God that no worker was on site when the building collapsed. Had it occurred while workers were on site, the casualties could have been enormous,” he said.

Uwadiae disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the building had no approval from the ministry, describing the development as a clear violation of extant building regulations.

“This building was not approved; there is no application before the ministry. How can someone erect a two-storey building without obtaining the required approval?” he queried.

The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to public sensitisation on the need to obtain building approvals, stressing that such approvals enable the ministry to monitor construction activities and ensure compliance with safety standards.

He further noted that the reinforcement rods used for the construction were of poor quality and incapable of supporting even a one-storey structure, let alone a two-storey building.

Uwadiae stated that the building would remain sealed pending further investigation, adding that the owner of the property was yet to be identified.

He warned that if the owner failed to present himself within the stipulated period, the government could take over the property in line with relevant laws.