Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has inaugurated the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Collapsed 7-Storey at Woji road in New GRA, Port Harcourt.
The governor also inaugurated the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the management and affairs of Integrated Medical Industries Limited (Auto Disable Syringe) .
The governor performed the inauguration/swearing of the two Judicial Commissions of Inquiry on Tuesday at the Government House Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike, in a statement by Simeon Nwakudu, his special assistant on new media, charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Collapsed 7-Storey to identify the owner of the building and the holder of the certificate of occupancy.
“To ascertain/identify the owner, developer and/or holder of the certificate of occupancy over and in respect of all that piece or parcel of land situate and lying at 119 Woji Road, (Plot 80), GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.
“Ascertain whether the construction of the Seven–Storey Building on the said 119 Woji Road is covered by any valid or approved building plan and/or whether requisite approvals were issued by the appropriate Ministry or agency of the Rivers State Government prior to the commencement of construction “.
The governor also charged the Commission of Inquiry to ascertain whether the architectural, engineering and structural designs of the said building were undertaken by competent and licensed experts in the relevant fields.
He further charged the commission to ascertain whether appropriate/necessary tests including soil tests were carried out to ascertain the suitability of the site for construction of a building of that height.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is also charged with the responsibility of finding out the quality of materials used and also ascertain the number of persons that were killed or injured and the identities of such persons.
For the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the affairs of Integrated Medical Industries Limited, Governor Wike charged the commission to ascertain how much the Rivers State Government has invested in the company
The commission is to ascertain if funds and assets of Integrated Medical Industries Limited were misappropriated during the period.
The governor also charged them to identify the persons who sold or converted the properties of Integrated Medical Industries Limited.
Responding, Chairman of The Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Collapsed 7-Storey building in Port Harcourt, Justice Adolphus Enebeli assured the governor that the commission will execute her assignment with the needed timeliness and in line with the law.
He said that they will not disappoint the Government and people of Rivers State because the assignment touches on Wednesday the essence of humanity.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the affairs of the Integrated Medical Industries Limited, Justice Douye Green thanked the governor for the privilege to serve, noting that commission will work in accordance with the Terms of Reference.