Building collapse is avoidable – Dr. Tonte Davies
… GPH will prioritize sensitization and enforcement this year
The Acting Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Dr. Tonte Davies, has described the collapsed two-story building under construction at Agboga axis of Igwuruta in Ikwerre LGA yesterday as sad and avoidable, if only developers adhere to building regulations and obtain necessary approvals from relevant government agencies and adhere strictly to the approved plans.
He said this during an inspection tour of the collapsed building today.
Town Planner Davies, who empathized with victims who sustained various degrees of injuries, stated that the collapsed was majorly caused by poor construction materials, adding that ” A Stop Work Notice” had earlier been issued by the Authority as at November, 2024, but the developer bluntly refused to adhere to professional advise, instead, chose to work on weekends and public holidays to evade impoundment and and arrest by the Authority.
The Acting Administrator also noted that the Authority has introduced a new approval strategy to monitor the Stages of Work, from Sub-Structure to Super-Structure, stating that the Authority has sealed off the site, in preparations to pulling down the remaining building within the short possible time for public safety.
Dr Davies further emphasized that the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority this new year, would prioritize Sensitization and Enforcement of Building Regulations and Control, while advising property developers to always obtain their building approvals from the Authority and build according to the approvals granted.
Media Team
GPHCDA
