Building collapse:  Police arrest site engineer in Umuahia

...Govt to conduct integrity test on buildings above 2 floors

The Police have arrested the site engineer handling the uncompleted three-storey building which collapsed last Saturday, in Umuahia. 

A three storey building under construction said to belong to an APC chieftain in the state, had weekend, collapsed in Umuahia, the Ania State capital, injuring three persons.

Following the development, the state government announced plans to conduct integrity test on all buildings above two floors in the state.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who spoke on the arrest of the site engineer, while addressing reporters in Umuahia, said the three persons injured during the incident were given first aid medical attention by a team of doctors led by the Commissioner for Health.

His words, "Last week, an uncompleted three-storey detached bungalow building collapsed somewhere around the low cost housing estate area of Umuahia.

"Fortunately, there were no fatilities from the collapse. However, about three people were injured. And fortunately for them as well, the Commissioner for Health and his team were ready on hand to offer them first aid and later take them to hospital for more comprehensive treatment. 

"The site Engineer has been arrested by the police and is currently helping the police in their investigations."

Also speaking, the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority ,UCDA, Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, assured that the government would carry out a thorough investigation on the collapsed building, noting that the State government would carry out integrity test on every building with two floors and above. 

"The integrity test is to ensure that citizens are fully protected in any building they live in. 

"The government has zero tolerance to professional misconduct, and government will do everything possible to ensure that the lives of the citizens in this state are protected.

" In addition, every building above two floors is going to be subjected to an integrity test. This is to assure every citizen that in the places you are staying, you are fully protected, and such incidents will not reoccur going forward.

"Every new and already constructed will be subjected to an integrity test. If you are constructing a new one, it is believed that it has been properly supervised. Because this building in question started construction in 2007. 

"Every building before now will be subjected to integrity test. New ones will definitely follow the building regulations and standards," he added.