Building collapse: Engineer arrested as probe begins

The police in Abia State have arrested the site engineer handling the uncompleted three-storey building that collapsed over the weekend in Umuahia, the state capital.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known while addressing journalists in Umuahia on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

He said, “Last week, an uncompleted three-storey detached bungalow building collapsed somewhere around the Low-Cost Housing area of Umuahia.

“Fortunately, there were no fatalities from the collapse. However, about three people were injured. Fortunately, the state Commissioner for Health and his team were ready on hand to offer them first aid and later take them to the hospital for more comprehensive treatment.

“The site engineer has been arrested by the police and is currently helping the police in their investigations.”

Kanu also disclosed that the road infrastructure revolution of the state government had continued unabated, despite the rainy season, stating that road reconstruction activities were going on in 51 locations across the state, and that out of the number, three were completed and five new ones were added to the basket during the past few weeks.

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Contributing, the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, while saying that the state government would carry out a thorough investigation on the collapsed building, disclosed that it would carry out an integrity test on every building with two floors and above to ensure that citizens were fully protected in any building they live in.

“The government has zero tolerance for professional misconduct, and the government will do everything possible to ensure that the lives of the citizens in this state are protected. In addition, every building above two floors is going to be subjected to an integrity test. This is to assure every citizen that wherever you are staying, you are fully protected, and such incidents will not recur going forward.

“Every new and already constructed building will be subjected to an integrity test. If you are constructing a new one, it is believed that it has been properly supervised. Because this building in question started construction in 2007. Every building before now will be subjected to an integrity test. New ones will follow the building regulations and standards.”

It was recalled that last Saturday, at about 3.00 am, the three-storey building sank, injuring a 35-year-old woman, her five-year-old daughter, and a five-month-old newborn.