The Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Evans Bipi, has confirmed that no lives were lost in the collapse of a three-story building in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Emeka Idika, the Commissioner disclosed that the incident occurred on Saturday, January 4. The affected structure was a building under construction.
According to the statement, prompt intervention by the ministry, supported by the Special Duties team and other joint efforts, successfully averted fatalities. However, seven individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to the hospital for medical attention.
“It is unfortunate that we are starting the year with this tragic event. Thankfully, no lives were lost; however, this marks the fourth building collapse we have experienced in the state since I assumed office,” Mr Bipi stated.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the use of substandard materials, including 12mm rods for decking, was a likely cause of the collapse. Mr. Bipi emphasized that such materials represent a serious breach of construction standards and have been implicated in similar incidents across the state.
The collapsed property has been sealed off, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the failure.
The Commissioner reassured the public of the government’s commitment to enforcing strict building regulations to prevent future occurrences. He also urged builders and developers to adhere strictly to safety and construction standards to safeguard lives and property.
