The Delta State Government has faulted a construction company over a collapsed multi-storey building along Okpanam Road in the Asaba, the state capital.
The Delta State Ministry of Urban Renewal, in conjunction with the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Board, conducted a thorough investigation into the incident and concluded that the construction company was culpable for the avoidable accident.
Recall that the multi-billion-naira building initially intended to be a seven-storey suffered a partial collapse on September 14, 2023, fortunately resulting in no casualty.
Responding swiftly, the Delta State Ministry of Urban Renewal and the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Board initiated an inquiry to uncover the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.
In a report signed by the General Manager of the Urban and Regional Planning Board, Mr. P.O Amaduobogha, the investigative panel found the company liable for utilising substandard materials in the support structure of the building.
They also highlighted issues such as non-perpendicular alignment, a lack of quality supervision, and negligence in attending to minor details, both on the part of the builder and the Project Managers, including Arc Enahoro Zedomi of Consultants Collaborative Partnerships.
Consequently, the panel recommended that the structure be cordoned off and subjected to comprehensive structural testing.