Rivers Govt. Seals Off Site Of Collapsed Building in Rumuodara
… clears medical bills of survivors
Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has sealed off the site of a two-story building that collapsed on Okporo Road near Rumuodara in the Obio Akpor LGA.
The Ministry also said that it wil hold the engineer responsible for overseeing the project accountable.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Isaac Umejuru, stated this during a visit to the site of the incident,
The Commissioner informed newsmen that the collapsed building was constructed without the necessary approval.
He explained that the collapse was caused by the addition of a second building on top of an existing structure, which ultimately led to the collapse.
He said, “It is an old building that they now put another building on top of, and the second one coming up led to the collapse, but luckily the three people the building collapsed on were properly saved, and a 2-year-old child was there also, but they have been rushed to a private hospital somewhere around Rumudara, and they are taking treatments.”
The Commissioner also revealed that an investigation has been initiated by the ministry into the collapse.
He stated, “We have launched a discrete investigation into the immediate cause and causes of this collapse.” However, visually, we can see that the building is an old building and someone is attempting to cut corners by adding another floor to it, but the ministry will investigate to find an expert cause for the collapse.
Prince Umejuru, cautioned property owners about the risks of constructing buildings without ministry approval.
He emphasized that the ministry has a team of experienced building experts in place to review and approve building plans, warning that those who proceed with construction without proper approval will face sanctions.
Shortly after visiting the site of the collapse, Prince Isaac Umejuru visited the survivors of the collapse at the hospital and offset their medical expenses.
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