COLLAPSED BUILDINGS: WE SAY NO TO QUACKS

On behalf of my leader, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, I was in Oforola in Owerri west local government area of Imo State where we unfortunately lost three persons to collapsed building.

it is disheartening that our State could in less that four days experience four incidents of collapsed building. This has once again called to question the qualification of the building or Civil Engineers behind this substandard constructions and standard of materials used in the construction of these buildings.

While in Oforola, barefacedly, one could also notice abdication of responsibility on the part the town planners of the local government as those concerned through out the time of search and rescue operations were conspicuously absent. I hereby directed that all those involved be suspended.

Imo State Government shall not fail to ensure that those whose carelessness caused this unfortunate loss of innocent lives are brought to book.

I must commend the quick response of various government agencies with that of the vigilant and proactive youth of Oforola whose efforts saved six lives. I therefore commend Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations/Chairman, bureau of lands, Engr. Kingsley Uju, GM, OCDA, Dr. Mrs. Chika Nnajiofor, Adviser to the Governor on health, Dr. Edward Ihejirika, the Commissioner of Police for their rapid response.

Meanwhile, Hon. Nkenna Nzerue, House Committee Chairman on Housing, Imo State House of Assembly and I also visited other sites of building collapse in Obinze, World bank and Ulakwo.

While we appreciate the quantum leap in real estate and general growth in Imo economy, which is not unconnected with the State status as a preferred tourism destination, we insist the right things must be done. We call on all relevant regulatory agencies to rid itself of quacks as we also warn developers to do the right thing by sparing no thoughts in engaging the services of experts and procurement of standard materials.

Full scale investigation has been directed to unearth the remote cause of the unfortunate incidents of building collapsed and we as a government shall review the entire process of construction so as to avoid the future occurrences. Our thoughts are with the family that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incidents.