Rivers denies approving collapsed five-storey building

The Rivers State Government on Wednesday denied approving the building plan for the five-storey structure that collapsed along Odili Road, Port Harcourt, killing one person and injuring three others.

The government, however, said the building plan was approved by the Federal Housing Authority.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Edward Hart, stated this while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, describing the incident as unfortunate.

Hart stressed the need for property developers to adhere strictly to approved building plans, amid claims that the structure was initially approved as a three-storey hotel but was later extended to five floors.

He lamented that two building collapses had occurred in the state within one week, including a three-storey building that collapsed in the Rumuelumeni area of Port Harcourt without recording any casualties.

The commissioner said the state government would intensify monitoring and clamp down on buildings erected without approval.

He maintained that the collapsed building on Odili Road did not receive approval from the state government.

“It’s a straight one. When a building plan is approved, always ensure that you keep to the approved plan. Don’t go outside the plan. As long as you keep to the approved plan, use quality materials and qualified personnel at your construction site, the building will definitely be intact.

“This building that collapsed was approved by the Federal Housing Authority. They approved it. They were even at the site. I’ll go further to state that the recent collapse of buildings calls for an urgent review of the civil construction site,” he said.

He noted that recent cases of building collapse highlighted the need for an urgent review of activities in the construction sector.

According to him, there is a need for stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and professional bodies involved in building construction.

“This will require tighter control of the approval processes to enable the elimination of quacks and use of sub-standard materials and personnel in building projects, in addition to close and regular supervision by the ministry,” he added.

Hart attributed some building collapse incidents to non-compliance with approved plans and the use of substandard materials by some contractors and construction professionals.

“Even when they comply, at times you will realise that some of them, especially the engineers who are supervising and all that use sub-standard materials in carrying out this construction work. This has always been a challenge, even when they are being monitored,” he stated.