Preliminary investigations by professional bodies have started unearthing things that might have been wrong with the collapsed seven-storey building in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday.
Checks by the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIoB) Rivers State Chapter could not uncover the identity of the contractors as there was no signboard on the site.
A statement entitled “Report on Building Collapse at Woji Street, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt Rivers State” made public by the chairman of NIoB Rivers State Chapter, Mr Akinola Bammeke said, “Design Architect: Unknown. Intelligence information is that it’s an unregistered architect”.
According to Bammeke, NioB could not ascertain the identities of both the client and the Design Structural Engineer/Civil Engineer.
The NioB report read, “Intelligence info indicate building was designed for six floors, but as at time of collapse, construction work was on 8th floor. Structural Engineer had complained.
“Intelligence info indicate the so called assistant architect (seems graduate of Architecture) still on site. Main so called Architect just left site an hour before collapse.
“Witness account: Workers were receiving their daily pay at the time of collapse.
“There was major casting a day before collapse and some casting on day of collapse. From witness account, during major casting up to 300 workers are engaged.”
The builders body recommended that a panel be constituted comprising all built environment professionals especially builders, architects and engineers to look into the incident.
The NioB chairman said the building was to be a hotel.
Similarly the chairman of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Rivers State Chapter, Mr Asomba Andrew Egbuonu issued a statement Friday night saying “the structure suddenly sank under its own weight”.
The Director General of Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Professor Danladi Matawal has called for comprehensive investigations, describing the incident as a national disgrace.
