The Rivers State Government has shut down the site of a three-storey building that collapsed on Slaughter Street in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, pending the outcome of investigations into the incident.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Amairigha Edward-Hart, led a team of ministry officials to inspect the scene and assess the possible causes of the collapse.
Speaking after the inspection, Edward-Hart said preliminary findings suggest that the incident may have resulted from the engagement of unqualified engineers, the use of substandard building materials, or a failure by the developers to adhere to the approved building plan.
He disclosed that the ministry would intensify monitoring and inspection of construction projects across the state to ensure strict compliance with approved building standards and regulations.
The commissioner noted that it was still unclear whether the collapsed structure had received the necessary government approval, as the owner of the property had yet to be identified.
He warned that developers who embark on building projects without obtaining the required approvals would face sanctions in line with existing laws.
