Posted by By BEN OKEZIE on
Piqued over the recent collapsed building in Port-Harcourt that many residents saw as one too many, the Rivers State Government has issued stringent conditions for recertification of building plans in the state.
Piqued over the recent collapsed building in Port-Harcourt that many residents saw as one too many, the Rivers State Government has issued stringent conditions for recertification of building plans in the state.
The stiff measures came just as the State Housing and Urban Development Commissioner, Mr. Tele Ikuru, told the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to, 'stop forthwith" the approval of development plan in the state.
The new measures include pre-qualification of specific geotechnical companies to conduct all soil test in the state, and non destructive test 'using rebound hammer." of already built high rises still under construction.
Government also intends the issuance of Temporary Occupation Licence to all high rise buildings henceforth.
It warned that the required soil test report must be prepared by qualified firms and engineers with specified addresses while the name, qualification, registration number and address of the architect who designed the plan must be given.
Also required are the name, qualification and COREN registration number and address of the structural and service engineers, as well as the name and address of the client.
The document signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Chief F.A. Ihunwo, also insisted on the names, qualification and registration number of the site engineer and builder, as well as the name and address of the Insurance Company.
Addressing newsmen Thursday, Housing and Urban Development Commissioner, Mr. Ikuru, confirmed that the affected plot, No 10B Bank Road, was allocated to Messrs Royal Estate Investment Ltd of 12 Bankole Street, Surulere, Lagos in 1993 by the defunct Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under its site and service scheme.
Ikuru, an engineer, stated that whereas the design presented for approval consists of a two-storey office building, the state government has brought another design changing the building to three-storey. 'This design/drawing was not approved by any agency of government," he said.
The commissioner stated that although the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development issued a ‘stop work' order on November 19, 2004 when it noticed the change, they initially abandoned the site only to 'secretly" mobilise men and materials to resume work in the dead of the night."
The commissioner advised the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to 'stop forthwith the approval of development plan, 'as it is totally the function of the state Urban and Regional Planning Department."
Meanwhile, official efforts to shift the blame to residents of the area have drawn the frown of many residents of Port-Harcourt.
Information Commissioner, Mr. Magnus Abe, had shortly after a meeting of the State Executive Council blamed resident of the area" for not informing government about what was going on in their vicinity."
But some residents in the neighbourhood accused the government of unnecessary attempt at dodging responsibility for the incident, which claimed seven lives and left scores of workers injured.
Said one of them, an engineer. 'It is surprising that any government official would talk that way. Is the building not very near the Port-Harcourt City council? Is it possible that no official at the nearby state secretariat or even the Government House, which is not too far away saw them adding to that structure.
They urged for prosecution of the house owner.