By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The River State Government has said that the collapsed five-storey building under construction along Odili Road in Port Harcourt, exceeded its approved plan.
This was as it informed that the building plan was approved by the Federal Government through the Federal Housing Authority, FHA.
The Source reports that many workers were feared trapped on Wednesday, when the building said to be either a proposed hotel, or a shopping mall collapsed, causing significant panic among residents.
Eyewitness accounts also informed that the building collapsed almost at the point of completion.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident on Thursday, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Edward Hart, disclosed that the building was originally approved as a three-story structure, but was later upscaled to five.
While decrying the incessant cases of building collapse of recent, Hart emphasized the importance of developers adhering strictly to officially approved building plans.
According to him, the collapsed structure was initially designated as a three-storey Hotel complex, but later extended to five floors.
The Commissioner expressed serious concern that the State has recorded two massive building collapse within just one week.
Before the Wednesday incident on Odili Road within the Port Harcourt metropolis, Hart revealed that a three-storey building had earlier in the week collapsed in the Rumuelumeni area of the State Capital.
He, however, vowed that Government will intensify its monitoring role as well as clampdown on illegal structures across the state.
He also called for close supervision on the part of developers with a view to ensuring that substandard materials are not used in construction activities.
According to him, findings have indicated that some building collapse are as a result of the use of substandard materials.
“The building that collapsed on Odili Road did not receive approval from the Rivers State Government.
“It was approved by the Federal Housing Authority. They were the ones that approved it.
“They ( officials of the FHA) were even at the site. I will go further to state that the recent collapse of buildings calls for urgent review of civil construction activities.
“When a building plan is approved, always ensure that you keep to the approved plan. Don’t go outside the plan.
“In addition to keeping to the approved plan, use quality materials, and qualified personnel at your construction site. The building will always meet the integrity test” Hart emphasized.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
