Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the immediate closure of the site of a collapsed building on Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt, pending the outcome of investigations into the incident that claimed lives.
The governor gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection visit to the scene, where he expressed sadness over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
Fubara explained that he delayed his visit to the site until he received an official briefing from relevant authorities.
According to him, information provided by the appropriate commissioner indicated that the project fell within the jurisdiction of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) rather than the Rivers State Government.
He disclosed that state officials had repeatedly attempted to inspect the building while construction was ongoing to assess compliance with safety standards. However, the developer allegedly resisted such inspections, insisting that the state government had no authority over the project.
Governor Fubara said: “We’re here to see for ourselves the very unfortunate incident that took place here. I didn’t come yesterday because I wanted to get the report first, and the Commissioner did brief me that the incident site, first, is not as claimed by the developer, that it’s not under the jurisdiction of the state; that it’s under the jurisdiction of the Federal Housing Authority.
“He also informed me that when the project was ongoing, they came here severally to inspect what was happening and also to see the level of compliance. But unfortunately, that the developer kept claiming that we don’t have any right to interfere,” he said.
The governor stressed that the state’s concern was never about interference but about safeguarding lives and ensuring adherence to construction regulations.
Describing the collapse as unfortunate and avoidable, the governor questioned how a project with apparent structural concerns could have progressed despite advancements in engineering and building technology.
He lamented the loss of lives, noting that such incidents should not occur in modern times when professional standards and safety measures are expected to guide construction activities.
The governor assured affected families of the government’s support and vowed that no further work would take place at the site until investigators determine the exact cause of the collapse.
He directed that the premises remain completely sealed while authorities carry out a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
“I think that at this point, nothing is going to happen on this site any more. We are going to make sure that this place is completely sealed off until we get to the root cause of this incident,” Governor Fubara stated.
Blessing Ibunge
