THE Anambra State Government has set up a panel to probe the collapse of a four-storey building under construction at No 9, Ezenwa St. Onitsha, a few days ago.

A statement released by the Anambra Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C don Adinuba said the panel would find out the immediate and remote causes of the building failure.

The panel would also determine the calibre of persons and quality of materials used as well as granting of approval by appropriate regulatory body.

“It is also to determine the cause(s) will go a long way in preventing similar occurrences in the state.

“This is part of the overall strategy to make Anambra to remain the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria,’’ he said.

According to the statement, members will be drawn from, among other bodies like the Nigerian Institute of Building, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Anambra Raw Materials Testing Laboratory and the State Emergency Management Agency as well as the Nigeria Police Force.

It added that the government regretted that the collapse of the building that led to the death of two persons, including the site engineer.

“We condole with the families and friends of the victims. The state government will underwrite the medical bills of the victims who are receiving treatment in the hospital,’’ he said.

“The government appreciates efforts of individuals and organisations that worked tirelessly to save lives of the victims of the building failure and ensure that the incident did not result in chaos.

“We thank individual volunteers, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Radio Safety Corps, the Anambra State Road Traffic Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross as well as the Anambra State Road Maintenance Agency y for their heroes’ roles,” he said.

It noted that many individuals and organisations demonstrated that we are a caring society.

“This is in keeping with our philosophy and tradition of onye aghana nwanne ya,’’ he added.

– 27 May, 2019 @ 18:39 GMT |