Onitsha Building collapse: Panel submits reports

The Panel of Inquiry on Collapsed Building in Onitsha has submitted its reports to Governor Willie Obiano, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia. It would be recalled that the ten-man Panel of Inquiry was inaugurated by the Governor on the 3rd of June, 2019, at the Exco Chamber, Awka. The panel was charged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a three storey building under construction at No 36 Ogalaonye Street, Onitsha.

 The incident claimed five lives and several others injured. Submitting its reports, Chairman of the panel, HRH Igwe (Surv.) Charles Agbala disclosed that their efforts were in ensuring efficient service delivery, in line with their mandate. Chairman, Panel of Inquiry on Anambra Building Collapse, HRH Igwe (Surv.) Charles Agbala (Centre) with other members of the panel, addressing journalists at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on their findings and recommendations to further avert building collapse in the state.

 Igwe Agbala, who addressed the journalists after briefing the Governor, disclosed that most of the structural drawings for construction of buildings in Onitsha and Nnewi were defective. He said: “The drawings were not done by registered engineers and architects. This makes the approval defective. 

“There was little or no supervision by competent professionals on the sites, as required by the Anambra State Physical Planning Board Law of 2013 and as amended in 2016,” he added. Igwe Agbala further explained that there should be a contractual relationship between the supervisor and the developer, to supervise his ongoing project.

 “The supervisor should always be at the construction site to supervise the project. This is to ensure that the state’s monitoring group will see the supervisor at the site to sign off every stage of the construction as stipulated by the law,” Agbala stated. 

Igwe Agbala, however, noted that the findings and recommendations of the panel, when implemented, would bring to an end the story of collapse building in Anambra State. 

He promised to work harmoniously with the government to ensure speedy and effective implementation, as recommended by the panel. 

Other members of the panel are Hon. Nwabufo Nwankwo, Secretary; ACP John Obuagbaka, Representative of the Commissioner of Police; Engr. Emeka Ezenwunne; SP Chinedu Anigbaoso (CSO to the Governor); Chief CY Agupugo (Chairman, SEMA); Engr. Alexander Chukwunwike (Rep. NSE); Engr. Afam Afugbuom (Rep. Nigeria Institute of Builders); Mr. Alloy Uzor (Rep Nigeria Institute of Town Planners) and Mr. Ebosie Ezeoke (Rep. Material Testing Laboratory).

Credit: Daily Times Nigeria