Tragedy In Ogbogoro: Another Building Collapse Claims Lives In Rivers State

Tragedy In Ogbogoro: Another Building Collapse Claims Lives In Rivers State

A middle-aged man named Udeme is feared dead following the collapse of a two-storey building under construction in the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, located in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, just a week after a similar three-storey building collapsed in Iriebe within the same local government area, though fortunately, no lives were lost in that earlier incident.

Eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey recounted that the building fell around 2 p.m. while contractors were working on the second floor. The collapse resulted in one worker losing their life, while another narrowly escaped with serious injuries. Obey speculated that the tragedy might be attributed to intentional violations of construction regulations by the property developer, raising serious concerns about negligence and safety standards.

“It’s a building collapse; as we speak, one person is trapped right inside the rubble. When we first arrived, we attempted to rescue the person, but we were unsuccessful. Our investigation revealed the use of substandard materials in the construction. The foundation, for instance, was only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is inadequate,” Obey stated. He further explained that the construction lacked essential structural supports, such as a center beam and adequate reinforcement.

In response to the incident, the Rivers State Government has sealed off the site and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted. During an inspection of the collapsed structure, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, accused Nwoye of gross negligence and failing to adhere to the state’s building laws.

Bipi emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “We have repeatedly warned that if you are caught building without a government-approved building plan, you will face penalties. This developer will be held accountable, and we intend to use this incident as a cautionary tale for others.”

He expressed sympathy for the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro community, noting, “We extend our condolences to the bereaved and will ensure the victim is taken to the mortuary for identification and burial arrangements.”

Dr. Samuel Anya, the Commissioner for Special Duties, also voiced his distress over the loss of life, criticizing the developer’s reckless prioritization of profit over safety. He urged all property developers to adhere strictly to building regulations to prevent future tragedies.