A three-story building under construction in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State collapsed on Saturday, January 4, leaving seven people injured.
According to Mr. Evans Bipi, Rivers Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, no lives were lost in the incident, thanks to a timely rescue mission by the ministry and other joint efforts.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the building may have collapsed due to the use of substandard materials, specifically 12mm rods for decking, which is a clear violation of construction standards.
The commissioner stated that this is the fourth building collapse in the state since he assumed office, and that the property has been sealed pending further investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Source: Vanguard
