Following the collapse of a two-storey building near Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Rivers State Government has issued an immediate directive for the arrest of the engineer responsible for the construction.
Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, personally signed and released a statement to the press, outlining this action.
Dr. Danagogo emphasized that this step, along with others, is necessary to facilitate a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the building’s collapse.
Additionally, the government has ordered the immediate closure of the construction site and initiated a swift search and debris evacuation operation to ensure that no individuals are trapped underneath, as claimed by the builder.
It is worth noting that the incident resulted in four individuals sustaining injuries when the under-construction building collapsed in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The statement read, “In view of the collapse of a two-storey building at Rumuoke Street, off Okilton junction, by Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Government has taken the following preliminary measures:
“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.
“Direct the immediate arrest of the construction engineer of the collapsed building for proper investigation.
“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.
“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.
“And also, I hereby call on the public to report to the authorities the activities of suspected unauthorised builders across the state.”
Remember that Emeka Woke, the State Commissioner for Special Projects, conducted an immediate evaluation of the incident and subsequently paid a visit to the hospitalized individuals who were injured.
