Rivers forms task force after second building collapse in one week

A three-storey building under construction collapsed, on Friday, evening in the Abacha Road area of the new Government Reservation Area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Although no lives were lost in this incident, it occurred barely five days after another three-storey building under construction collapsed, resulting in one fatality and injuring two people in Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

In response, the Rivers State Government has set up a task force to address the rising issue of building collapses and the dangers these incidents pose to public safety.

The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, disclosed this during an on-site inspection of the recent collapse along Abacha Road in the metropolis on Friday. He ordered the site to be sealed.

Bipi stated that the task force would monitor all construction sites in the state to ensure developers strictly comply with the state’s building laws and regulations, aiming to prevent further incidents.

The Commissioner attributed the incident to gross violations of the government-approved building plan by the developer, whom he accused of using substandard materials to erect a three-storey building in a waterlogged area.

He said, “I would advise all Rivers State residents who intend to build to visit the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to process their building plans and obtain the necessary approvals.

“The ministry will, of course, guide you on whether a three-storey or two-storey building is feasible. We have decided to establish a task force to ensure compliance with government laws and regulations concerning buildings.

“Those who fail to comply will, of course, be made examples of. We have sealed off this building,” he said.

The Commissioner pledged stricter penalties for violators of the State’s Physical Planning Development Law to deter similar breaches.

He added, “Abacha Road is in the heart of Port Harcourt. The engineer should have advised the property owner that this is a waterlogged area unsuitable for a three-storey building. A few days ago, a three-storey building also collapsed in Ogbogoro.

“Look at the type of rods they used — how can you use 12 mm rods for a three-storey building in a waterlogged area? Besides sealing the site, we have summoned the property owner and the engineer. Why are people cutting corners? Why not use the correct materials?”

The State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, who accompanied his counterpart from the Physical Planning and Urban Development Department on the inspection, said the State Government might consider enacting legislation that would impose prison sentences or hefty fines on defaulting engineers.

Anya explained that this would deter engineers and developers from cutting corners or using substandard materials, thereby endangering the lives of construction workers and the public.