Rivers seals collapsed building site

The Rivers Government has sealed off the site of a collapsed building in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, saying that the structure has no approval.

Mr Isaac Umejuru, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the state government would hold the engineer that handled the project responsible.

“The building was constructed without approval from the state government, it collapsed because a new structure was placed on the old one.

“It’s an old building, the engineer placed a second structure on top of it, and that led to the collapse” he said.

Umejuru expressed thanks to God that all the three persons inside the structure during the collapsed were safe.

“A 2-year old child was also there. We are happy that they did not die as a result of the incident. They are currently receiving medical attention.

We are hopeful that they will be fine,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state government would thoroughly investigate the cause of the collapse with a view to prosecuting anyone found culpable.

He cautioned property developers on constructing buildings without approvals from relevant authorities.

“We shall not hesitate to bring illegal property developers to book. It is only right to get approvals before construction begins,” he said.

(NAN)