The Abia State Government has initiated measures to curb instances of building collapse even as efforts were being made towards reforming the lands and housing sectors in the state.
The move followed recent collapse of two uncompleted buildings in Umuahia and Aba.
Speaking to Journalists on the Umuahia incident after a State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu described the incident as unfortunate.
“Last week, an uncompleted three-storey detached building collapsed somewhere around the Low-Cost Housing Estate area of Umuahia.
“Though government approved the building, thorough investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the collapse and the result will be made public,” he said.
The Commissioner, who expressed joy that there was no fatality in the incident, added that the police have arrested the site engineer to assist in the investigation.
For his part, the General Manager of Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Kingsley Agomuo said integrity test would be conducted on every building with two floors and above.
“This is to assure every citizen that the places you are staying, you are fully protected, and such incidents will not reoccur 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,” he said.
Agomuo maintained that the government has zero tolerance to professional misconduct, and assured that everything possible will be done by the government to protect the lives of citizens in this state.
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