Rivers State Government has issued a stern warning to developers against using substandard materials in construction projects.
This follows a recent incident involving the collapse of a three-storey building under construction in the Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The state government has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Evans Bipi inspected the collapse site on Wednesday, accompanied by officials from the Greater Port-Harcourt City Development Authority and Ministry directors. Bipi confirmed that although no lives were lost in the early morning collapse on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, he urged developers to avoid compromising safety by cutting corners on material quality.
“It is unfortunate that the building lacked necessary government approval essential for ensuring structural integrity and safety,” Bipi stated. “We are thankful no lives were lost, but we will investigate the engineer and identify the building’s owner before determining our next steps.”
According to Bipi, the structure’s failure may be linked to the use of substandard materials, including cement-sand ratios that do not meet safety standards. “This engineer’s negligence is putting lives at risk. Standards must be maintained, as evidenced by the poor quality materials here,” he said.
The commissioner also reminded property owners and developers to obtain government-approved building plans to allow for regular inspections, ensuring compliance with structural and safety regulations. He emphasized the state’s commitment to reducing incidents of structural failure through more rigorous oversight and enforcement.
The collapsed building site has been sealed by the state government pending the outcome of a joint investigation by the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority.
This investigation aims to address the underlying issues in the building industry and to restore standards across the state.
