From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
The authorities of Enugu Capital Development Authority (ECTDA) yesterday revealed that the collapsed three storey building still under construction at Ezeluike street, Olympic layout,Agbani road Enugu,was initially marked for demolition because it had no approval from the agency.
The building whose physical structures were almost completed collapsed on Sunday night April 5, prior to a slight rainfall which was preceded by a heavy wind and thunderstorm. However,there was no casualty.
The Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority(ECTDA) ,Dr Joseph Umunnakwe Onoh, gave this hints in a press statement made available to news men on the necessary steps the agency will henceforth adopt to curtail further building collapse in the state
Part of the statement reads, “On April 5, 2020, a three-storey building under construction collapsed at Ezeluike Street, Olympic Layout, off One Day, Agbani Road, Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the State Fire Service and Red Cross, among others, were on ground for rescue operations and there were no casualties recorded.
“In view of the above, the ECTDA wishes to state categorically that the collapsed structure had no building approval and was consequently marked for Demolition in July and November 2019.
“Unfortunately, the developer continued construction in defiance of the Stop-Work order issued by our Agency”.
He said that a combined team fro ECTDA and Nigeria Society of Engineers(NSE) will from Friday April 10, begin evaluation of structural fitness of all buildings in Enugu metropolis,as a dtrategy to curtail further building collapse in the city.
“Consequently, a technical team from ECTDA and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Enugu State branch, will commence immediate evaluation of the structural integrity and stability of all buildings within the State Capital Territory from April 10, 2020.
“ECTDA shall comply with the recommendations to be made at the end of the exercise and where any structure(s) fails the integrity test the developer/owner shall be given a reasonable time not exceeding 60days to commence reconstruction and ensure that the structure is fit and stable for human habitation.
“In a case where no option is available such building(s) shall be demolished rather than put the lives of the occupants in danger.
