The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Anambra State Council, has attributed the recent building collapse in Onitsha, which resulted in six fatalities, to the use of substandard materials and poor foundation.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting the site, the State Chairman of COREN, Engr. Victor Meju, reiterated the council’s commitment to combatting quackery in the state and the nation as a whole.
Meju, while offering condolences to the victims’ families, emphasized the importance of consulting regulatory bodies like COREN for proper guidance before undertaking large-scale construction projects, irrespective of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations.
The collapsed three-storey building, situated in the Ochanja section of the Onitsha market, triggered panic in the area. Efforts by the state government, passers-by, and residents led to the rescue of 20 individuals with various injuries, while seven casualties were confirmed.
Barrister Chike Mmaduekwe, Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, stressed the need for adherence to proper construction procedures to prevent such incidents. He disclosed that investigations revealed the disregard for regulatory protocols.
State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, visited the site to assess the situation and assure justice for the victims. Expressing anger over the incident, he vowed to prosecute those responsible and demolish the remaining structure by the same developer.
Furthermore, Soludo mandated that any market development lacking his approval would face demolition, emphasizing the necessity for integrity tests on existing structures.
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