Building collapse in Edo sparks fresh safety concerns
A two-storey building under construction in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State has collapsed, prompting renewed scrutiny of construction standards and regulatory oversight. According to resident Jonathan Bitrus, the incident occurred in the early hours, but no casualties were reported as no workers were present at the time. The Edo State Government, represented by Commissioner Vincent Uwadiae, condemned the use of substandard materials and ordered the property sealed. Officials have emphasized the importance of obtaining proper approvals and warned of consequences for non-compliance.
What happened
- A two-storey building under construction on Gospel Avenue, Oredo, collapsed in the early hours, reportedly due to a weak foundation.
- Jonathan Bitrus said the building caved in around 2:00 a.m., but no workers were on site, averting tragedy.
- Commissioner Vincent Uwadiae stated the building had no approval and used poor-quality reinforcement rods.
- The property has been sealed, and the owner has not been identified; authorities warn of legal action if the owner fails to appear.
- Darlington Igabali, Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, described the collapse as preventable and criticized the use of inferior materials and lack of approval.
