Four escape death by whiskers as building collapses in Rivers State

About four persons escaped death by the whiskers, when a 2-storey storey building under construction collapsed at Rumuoke Street, off Okilton junction, by Ada George Road, at Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State.

The structure, Africa Update gathered from sources is an extension to the already existing hotel, more like a sit-out bar.

Apart from the four persons said to have sustained varying degrees of injury, no life was lost in the incident. The injured persons are currently being treated at a hospital near the accident scene.

Reacting to the incident, Rivers State Government said it will bring to book all those whose actions contributed to the collapse of the building.

The Commissioner for Special Project, Emeka Woke, stated this after his visit to the site of the collapsed building and the hospital where the four survivors are receiving treatment.

He said a proper probe will be instituted to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.

Meanwhile, the architect who developed the building plan and was also supervising the project, Promise Chizi, said the incident is shocking to him.

He maintained his innocence, insisting that there was no compromise of any kind.

According to Chizi, he was told about the incident at about 5 am on this morning.

In the same vein, the State Government has called “on the public to report to the authorities, activities of suspected unauthorized builders across the State.”

A government special announcement signed by Secretary to State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo reads:

In view of the collapse of a 2-storey building at Rumuoke Street, off Okilton junction, by Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Government has taken the following preliminary measures:

i). Immediate closure of the construction site, search and evacuation of the debris to ensure that nobody is in fact trapped underneath as the Builder claims.

ii). Direct the immediate arrest of the Construction Engineer of the collapsed building for proper investigation.

iii). The urgent constitution of an Investigative Panel to look into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse, as well as bring everyone culpable to book.

iv). To further warn professionals in the Building Sector of our state to henceforth comply strictly with all necessary regulations as the Rivers State Government will not condone any deviation from extant laws and regulations in the sector.

v). And also, hereby call on the public to report to the authorities, activities of suspected unauthorized builders across the State.

Signed:

Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo
Secretary to the State Government.