The Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning said it would completely demolish the building which collapsed in Woji, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
According to sources, the building had collapsed following incessant flooding, which they said had eaten deep into its foundation.
The collapsed structure claimed one life, injuring three others.
In a visit to the scene of the incident, the state Commissioner, Austin Ben-Chioma, disclosed that the entire building will be demolished completely.
Ben-Chioma said demolishing will commence after an integrity test has been conducted on the soil to guarantee if a structure can be erected on it.
The commissioner advised residents against constructing buildings without approval from the ministry, as he maintained that there were punishments for violating government rules.
“We got information that there was a partial building collapse. So, we had to mobilise our men to come and check if it was true.
“Now, we are here and we have seen for ourselves. It is actually true that there is a partial building collapse. It has been confirmed to us that somebody actually died in the incident.
“From what we have seen, it is clear to me that the structure needs to be completely demolished. With what has happened there with the soil, the stability of the house cannot be guaranteed.
“An integrity test would be carried out. We will do our integrity test, but looking at it, in the face of it, I think we have to demolish the whole structure.
“You are supposed to be regulated before you build because the land you want to build on, we will need to see it to know if the structure you want to build there is proper.
“So, if you want to build anything in Rivers State, Port Harcourt, and Obio/Akpor in particular, and some other areas surrounding it, you must come to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to get your approval before you start anything so that we will avoid this kind of situation,” He said
