Three-storey building collapses in Rivers

A three-storey building under construction has collapsed in Rivers State.

The building which was on the third floor collapsed, Tuesday morning, October 29, at Iriebe Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

No casualty has been reported but, it was gathered that workers had resumed work on the site when the incident happened.

However, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo has visited the site of the collapsed building.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, Ofonime Okon, said it was not certain if there were human casualties under the rubble when the Ihunwo visited, but that he (Chairman) has ordered immediate closure of the site.

Okon said: “Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo while expressing sadness over the loss asked the owner (yet unknown) of the property to report to his office on Wednesday alongside his site engineer for questioning.

“The collapse is quite unfortunate and as a local government, we have closed down this site with immediate effect and instructed the owner of the building to furnish us with the necessary building approval from the Ministry of Urban Development. For now, we cannot ascertain if someone is under the rubble.

“The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo also questioned the quality of materials used in the construction.

“Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo also indicated plans to work with the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development to ascertain if the ministry approved the building plan.”