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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The Panel of Enquiry set up to look into the immediate and remote causes of the collapsed church building, off Ebi’s Mechanic Road, as well as a partial collapsed two-story building in the OMPADEC Area, both in Amarata area of the state capital, Yenagoa, has submitted its report.
Speaking during the presentation of the report at the Conference Room of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board, secretary to the state government, who also doubles as the overseer of the board, called on developers in the state to stop patronizing quacks so as to avoid building collapse.
Alabo Ekeuwei noted that, “It is always advisable to use professionals while carrying out any form of development to avoid further building collapse in the state.”
It would be recalled that, the panel of enquiry into the collapse of the House of Assembly Church, off Ebi’s Mechanic Road, as well as that of a partial collapse of a two-story building at the OMPADEC Area in Amarata in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State, was set up on January 4, 2023.
Members of the panel of enquiry and the professional bodies they represent are, Engr. Tari Driyai, Nigerian Society of Engineers; Barr.Ben Brayi, Nigerian Barr Association; Tpl. Julius Iyoroakpo, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners; Arc. Stella Rains, Nigerian Institute of Architects; Builder Samson Dagana, Nigerian Institute of Building; Mr. Sylvanus Sikpi, Nigeria Mining and Geosciences and Surv. Etieniya Ozi, Nigerian Institute of Surveyors.
The terms of reference, was to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the collapse, recommend appropriate measures to forestall future occurrence of building collapse in the state as well as to recommend appropriate sanctions to the affected developers and any other recommendations deemed necessary in the planning and development of the state.
He commended the panel of enquiry for having carried out their assignment thoroughly and to meeting the deadline set out for it.
He assured that all the recommendations as contained in the report would be implemented to the letter, adding that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration is hinged on integrity and honesty.
Ekeuwei also commended Governor Diri for creating the enabling environment to enable the panel of enquiry to carry out their assignment and at a record time.
He said, “If other panel of enquires were not implemented, this particular one would be implemented to set a record in the state.”
Earlier, the chairman of the Panel of Enquiry, Engr. Tari Diriyai noted that, developers should always consult the board before carrying out any form of development in the state as well as the use of professionals to supervise their developments to avoid future occurrence of collapsed buildings in the state.
He commended the board to have found them worthy for the assignment, pointing out that, in the cause of carrying out their assignment, they visited the sites for physical investigation, carried out soil, concrete and integrity test on building elements as well studied drawings, documents and oral interrogations, amongst others.
