Following the collapse of a three-story building under construction in the Iriebe area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Rivers State Government has issued a firm warning to developers against using substandard construction materials. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 29, has prompted an official investigation to determine its cause and accountability.
During an inspection of the collapse site on Wednesday, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, expressed relief that no lives were lost. He warned, however, that the use of inadequate materials and lack of proper approvals could lead to serious risks. “It is unfortunate that this structure did not have the necessary government approval, which is essential to guarantee its integrity and safety,” he stated.
According to Bipi, preliminary observations suggest that substandard materials, particularly improper cement-sand mixtures, may have contributed to the collapse. “This negligence jeopardizes public safety,” he noted, vowing that the government would investigate the building’s owner and engineer to determine accountability and potential penalties.
The commissioner reminded developers of the importance of obtaining government-approved building plans, emphasizing that these approvals allow for regular safety inspections and compliance with state regulations. The state government, he affirmed, is committed to stricter oversight to minimize structural failures in Rivers State.
As a precautionary measure, the collapsed building site has been sealed off pending the outcome of a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority. The Rivers State Government continues to encourage developers to prioritize safety standards, pledging that enforcement measures will be intensified to prevent future incidents.
