By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State government, Wednesday, said it would commence test for structural integrity assessment of all commercial buildings within Oko and Amaokpala in Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA) to ascertain their durability.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Chijioke Ojukwu disclosed this in a statement following the building collapse that occured on Sunday and claimed lives of two persons at Amaokpala, near Federal Polytechnic Oko.
According to Ojukwu, although site of the collapsed structure has been sealed, a thorough investigation to ascertain the root cause of the collapse would be carried out and the outcome would lead to prosecution of those directly and indirectly engaged in renting the building.
"Property owners, developers, and landlords are hereby reminded of their legal and moral responsibility to ensure that all buildings comply with approved plans, structural standards, and safety regulations.
"The Government will not hesitate to take firm action against any person or entity found to have compromised building safety through negligence, substandard construction, or non-compliance with planning laws," he stated.
He further revealed that a preliminary assessments conducted at the collapsed building point to structural failure as the likely cause and a fact that was known to the owners and management of the building yet they put monetary gain over and above the safety of the occupants.
"A comprehensive technical investigation and structural integrity assessment are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collapse and the State government has also received actionable intelligence regarding other potentially distressed buildings in the same area. The Ministry shall conduct a compulsory review and structural integrity tests on all buildings within the proximity of the collapsed building.
"The State Government shall take decisive steps inclusive of the revocation of the right of occupancy of the parcel of land housing the building and the prosecution of anyone whose action or inaction may have contributed to the unfortunate incident," he noted.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to the strict enforcement of physical planning regulations, building codes and safety standards across Anambra State.