Three-storey building partially collapses in Abia
The collapsed building
Town planner tasks developers on compliance with regulations
Following the partial collapse of a three- storey building on Sunday morning at Ahiaeke, along Ikot Ekpene road near Umuahia, Abia State capital, residents have expressed fear and shock.
Although no human casualty was reported, residents feared that there might be someone trapped in the rubble. The Guardian learnt that the building collapsed after a heavy rainfall, which hindered visibility and movement, while an attachment to the building, where the owner resides was mostly affected.
It was also learnt that the collapsed part was said to be under construction but was believed to be of substandard quality, especially the rods.
A source said the owner of the building is from the neighbouring Ikwuano Local Council and resides outside the country. The source said the entire building had been under construction over the years and “has been beaten by the sun and the rains.”
It was also learnt that the building collapsed either as a result of the use of sub-standard materials or the construction was handled by non professionals.
Commenting on the incident, chairman of the state’s chapter of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr. Stephen Nwazue, reiterated the need to engage professionals in building projects, which he insisted requires professionalism in setting the foundation among other compartments.
According to him, considering the number of years the building has lasted, and the number of floors involved, the developer ought to have carried out an integrity test on the foundation to ascertain the strength and carrying capacity, before adding up new structures.
He said the owner of the building is to be blamed for flouting the building standards, by adding more structures even when he was aware that the foundation had lasted more than 30 years.
Nwazue, who described the scenario as not ideal, decried the practice of property developers, who do not design and submitted their building plans to the state’s town planning authority for approvals.
He stressed that Abia State Building Regulations have made it compulsory that soil stability tests must be carried out when a developer intends to build more than three-storey buildings.”
Nwazue described soil sample test as necessary as it certifies the capacity or otherwise of the soil to carry the building one intends to erect. He stressed that this regulation is binding on all developers without which the project ought not go on.
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