The Rivers State Government has shut down the site of a three-storey building that collapsed on Monday night at Slaughter Street, Rumuolumeni, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, as investigations begin into the cause of the incident.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Amairigha Edward-Hart, led officials of the ministry on an inspection of the collapsed structure to assess the situation and determine the possible factors responsible for the disaster.
Speaking after the inspection, Edward-Hart said preliminary findings suggest that the collapse may have resulted from the engagement of unqualified engineers, the use of substandard building materials, or a failure by the developers to comply with the approved building design and specifications.
He stated that the ministry would strengthen monitoring and inspection of construction projects across the state to ensure strict adherence to building regulations and approved standards, stressing that the government would not tolerate practices that endanger lives and property.
The commissioner noted that it was still unclear whether the collapsed building had received government approval, as the owner of the property had yet to be identified. He warned that developers who embark on construction projects without obtaining the necessary approvals would face sanctions in line with existing laws and regulations.
