Building collapse: Anambra seals structure, commences integrity test

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Anambra Government said on Monday that it had sealed off a four-storey building which collapsed on July 17, at Owelle-Aja layout, Obosi in Idemili North local government Area of Anambra.

Mr Victor Okpoko, the General Manager, Anambra Physical Planning Board, told newsmen in an interview that it had commenced integrity test to determine the cause of collapse.

Okpoko said the building would remain sealed pending the outcome of investigation on the cause of collapse

Although, no life was lost in the incident, it would be recalled that the structure under construction and located off Tony Eze Street, was reported to have collapsed around 7a.m.

Workers numbering 20 at the site had yet to resume work when the incident occurred.

“In this particular building collapse, we discovered from the site that the owner got approval, but executed a different project from what was approved.

“From preliminary investigation, what we saw approved in the man’s plan was three-storey building while the method of execution was also different from what was approved.

“We sealed the structure to investigate the remote cause of collapse.

“If proven in court that the collapse was due to his negligence, he will lose the property and face other consequences,” he stressed.

The general manager reminded developers in the state to take advantage of government’s material testing laboratory to mitigate cases of building collapse.

Okpoko observed that building collapse had been a yearly recurrence in the state between July and August.

He urged members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers to look into the development with a view to developing a foundation model for building projects in the state.

While urging developers to comply with approved building plans, Okpoko said the agency would soon commence another round of demolition of structures blocking roads as well as those without set-backs.

He appealed to the state government to procure more vehicles for the agency and employ more staff to enable it carry out its duty efficiently.