Tragic Collapse: Three-Storey Building Under Construction Falls in Rivers State
A three-storey building under construction has collapsed in Iriebe, located in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Tuesday. Eyewitness reports indicate that construction activities were underway on the third floor when the structure gave way.
Access to the lower sections of the collapsed building was reported to be challenging due to the area’s swampy conditions. An individual residing nearby stated that he observed several workers at the construction site earlier that morning as he was heading to work.
“It occurred this morning, but I’m not sure if there were any casualties. I did see workers at the site earlier,” he remarked.
In response to the incident, Chijioke Ihunwo, Chairman of the Ohio/Akpor Local Government Area, has ordered an immediate halt to construction at the site. During his visit in the afternoon, he instructed the building’s owner and the contractor to report to his office on Wednesday morning with the relevant documentation, including building approvals.
Ihunwo characterized the event as tragic and expressed concerns that there may be workers trapped under the debris. “This incident is quite unfortunate. We, as a local government, have decided to shut down this site immediately. We’ve also required the owner to present the necessary approvals from both the local government and the Ministry of Urban Development. At this moment, we cannot confirm whether anyone was inside the structure or if there have been any fatalities,” he said.
He also appealed for calm amongst local residents while the area remains sealed until further updates are available. Ihunwo voiced his dismay regarding the quality of materials used in the construction, pledging to collaborate with the State Ministry of Urban Development to initiate a thorough investigation.
“The materials used here appear to be substandard, and we have summoned the individual claiming ownership of the site to explain why such materials were employed in constructing a structure of this scale,” he added. “We will share our findings with the Ministry of Urban Development to verify if an official approval for the building plan was actually granted before proceeding with further actions.”
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