Panel on building collapse submits report

PANEL of Inquiry on collapsed building in Anambra State has submitted its reports to the state government .
Submitting the reports, chairman of the Panel, Igwe Charles Agbala, a surveyor, said that their effort at ensuring efficient service delivery was in line with their mandate.
Igwe Agbala, who addressed journalists after briefing the governor, disclosed that most structural drawings for construction of buildings in Onitsha and Nnewi were defective.
“The drawings were not done by registered engineers and architects and rendered approvals defective.
“There was little or no supervision by competent professionals at the sites, as required by Anambra State Physical Planning Board Law of 2013 and as amended in 2016,” Agbala added.
Igwe Agbala explained that there should be contractual relationship between supervisor and developer, to supervise  on-going project.
“The supervisor should always be at the site to supervise the project in order to ensure that the state’s monitoring group will see the supervisor at sites.
“The supervisor is to sign off at every stage of the construction as stipulated by law,” Agbala said.
He, however, noted that the findings and recommendations of the panel, when implemented, would bring to an end story of collapsed buildings in the state.
In attendance were Nwabufo Nwankwo, Secretary, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), John Obuagbaka, Representative of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Emeka Ezenwunne, SP, Chinedu Anigbaoso (CSO to the Governor).
Others are CY Agupugo (Director, SEMA), Afam Afugbuom (Representing Nigeria Institute of Builders), Alloy Uzor (Representing Nigeria Institute of Town Planners) and Ebosie Ezeoke (Representing Material Testing Laboratory
It would be recalled that the 10-man Panel of Inquiry was inaugurated by the governor on June 3, at the Executive Committee (Exco) Chambers, Awka, with a  mandate to investigate circumstances surrounding the collapse of a three storey building under construction at No 36 Ogalonye Str. Onitsha.
The incident that occurred on July 17, claimed five lives and recorded several injuries.