By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Government of Anambra State has reemphasized its intolerance for non-compliance with building regulations. This is coming following the collapse of a students’ hostel building at Amaokpala, in Orumba North LGA of the State. In a press release after visiting the site, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, said that the collapsed building will be thoroughly investigated to ascertain the cause of the collapse.
However, the Commissioner hinted that initial assessment points to a structural defect which ultimately led to the collapse of the building. He also acknowledged that the building owner and management were aware of the defect, but placed money ahead of human lives. “The site of the collapsed structure has been sealed pending a full and thorough investigation. Preliminary assessments point to structural failure as the likely cause, and this fact was known to the owners and management of the building, yet they put monetary gain over and above the safety of the lives of the occupants of the building,” Barrister Ojukwu said.
Reiterating the position of the Government of Anambra State on building defects arising from compromised standards, the Commissioner noted that “The Government will not hesitate to take firm action against any person or entity found to have compromised building safety through negligence, substandard construction or non-compliance with planning laws.”
Meanwhile, Anambra residents are strongly encouraged to report any suspected structural defect they notice on buildings around their vicinity to the appropriate government authority for necessary action.
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