Building Collapse: Abia Govt. mandates statewide integrity test on storey buildings

Abia Government says it has mandated an integrity test on all storey buildings across the state following the collapse of an uncompleted three-storey building in Umuahia, early Saturday.

The General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr Kingsley Agomoh, made this known during a press briefing at the end the State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday in Umuahia.

Agomoh said that the directive formed part of the government’s effort to forestall future building collapse in the state.

He said the exercise would cover completed, uncompleted, occupied and unoccupied buildings in Abia.

He assured members of the public that the test would be thorough but concluded in good time.

Agomoh added that any building that failed the integrity test would face firm government action.

“The state government has sealed the site of the collapsed building and two nearby buildings constructed by the same engineer.

“The building has only the roof in place before its collapse around 3:30 a.m on Saturday. The same materials may have been used across the three buildings.

“Residents and security personnel have been evacuated from the neighbouring structures as a safety measure,” he said.

Agomoh said that the construction of multi-storey buildings must adhere strictly to approved building plans and standards.

He expressed the state government’s resolve to maintain zero tolerance on professional misconduct in the building industry.

He said government had resolved to make the findings of the tests and probe of the collapsed building known to the public.

The general manager reiterated government’s resolve to restore confidence and ensure the safety of lives and property across Abia.

In his remark, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.

He said that three people sustained injuries and received first aid from the Abia Ministry of Health and later moved to a hospital for a more comprehensive treatment.

He said that the collapsed structure belonged to an elder statesman in the state and was yet to be plastered.

Kanu said that the company that built the three buildings, the collapsed building and the two remaining ones, had been arrested and assisting in police investigations.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the probe into the cause of the building collapse would be holistic.

He said that both the builders and government officials found wanting in the course of the investigation would be held accountable.

Ekeoma noted that sanctions would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.