Gov Fubara orders immediate investigation into collapsed building

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has ordered for an immediate investigation into the cause of the collapsed building on Thursday, at Rumuoke Street, off Okilton junction on Ada George road, Port Harcourt.

A two storey-building, which was under construction, had collapsed on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

Although no life was lost, DAILY POST gathered that four persons sustained injury.

Fubara, who visited the site of the tragic accident, represented by the Commissioner for Special Projects, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, charged the relevant government agencies to question those involved in the project to bring anyone culpable to book.

According to the governor, “The Ministry of Urban Development is to take immediate action by conducting site investigations, and site inspections, destructive testing and non-destructive testing of collapsed structural element by the determination of the yield strength of the reinforcements and sieve analysis of the soil at the site, to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the building collapse.

“If there is any compromise by those involved in the project, they will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others/”

In the meantime, the Rivers State Government has ordered that the construction site be closed with immediate effect.

The state government also ordered for the immediate arrest of the Construction Engineer of the collapsed building for proper investigation.

The government further warned professionals in the building sector of the state to forthwith, comply with all necessary regulations, “as the Rivers State Government will not condone any deviation from extant laws and regulations in the sector.”

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, the Governor called on the public to report to the authorities activities of suspected unauthorized builders across the State.