Rivers State has formed a new task force to combat the alarming rise in building collapses after a second incident in just one week. On Friday evening, a three-storey building under construction collapsed in the Abacha Road area of Port Harcourt, narrowly avoiding casualties. This event comes just days after another construction failure in the Ogbogoro community, which led to one death and two injuries.

Evans Bipi, the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, led an on-site inspection at the Abacha Road collapse site, where he confirmed that the building had violated several state regulations. He noted that the developer had used substandard materials and ignored the government-approved building plan, especially constructing in a waterlogged area, which worsened the structural integrity.

In response to these growing concerns, Bipi emphasized that the newly established task force would ensure stricter enforcement of building codes across the state. The task force aims to monitor construction sites and ensure developers follow all necessary approvals and regulations.

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The government has already sealed off the collapsed building, and Bipi urged all residents who plan to build to consult the Ministry of Physical Planning for proper guidance. He also warned that developers who fail to comply would face severe penalties, including being made examples of to discourage future violations.

Bipi further criticized the engineer’s decision to use 12mm rods for the project in a waterlogged area, questioning why construction professionals continue to cut corners at the expense of public safety. Dr. Samuel Anya, the State Commissioner for Special Duties, who accompanied Bipi on the inspection, revealed that the state government might push for new legislation that could introduce jail sentences or heavy fines for engineers who compromise safety through poor materials or practices.