Three-storey building of 13 flats collapses in Enugu

ENUGU—A three-storey building under
construction at 16, Nnobi Street in Enugu
State capital, collapsed in the early hours
of Saturday. No casualty was recorded.
The building, which consists of 13 flats
and a penthouse, and had been roofed,
suddenly came down at 6.40am, forcing
residents in the neighbourhood to
scamper for safety.
Governor Sullivan Chime’s private house,
known as Thinkers’ Lodge, a one-storey
apartment, is located on the same street
in Uwani, which is close to Enugu South
Local Government secretariat.
The owner of the building, identified as
Paschal Eneh from Udi town in Udi Local
Government Area, where Governor Chime
also hails from, currently resides in South
Africa.
ECTDA report
State Commissioners for Lands and
Enugu Capital Territory Development
Authority, ECTDA, Dr. Chukwuemeka
Ujam and Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede,
respectively, who rushed to the scene
shortly after the incident, said the building
collapsed due to structural defects.
They disclosed that the developer did not
get the approval of the Enugu Town
Planning Authority as he went beyond
government’s specification of a maximum
of two-storey building for the area.
It was learnt that the government had
issued a stop-work order on the building
several times, but it was ignored as the
developer allegedly went beyond the
specified limit to erect four floors and a
penthouse.
Ujam said that the state Waste
Management Agency, ESWAMA, had been
invited to evacuate the debris to determine
whether anybody was trapped inside.
Ugwuegede said: “It is very unfortunate.
We thank God that at least there were no
casualties. But we are conducting
investigations to ensure that miscreants
or homeless people are not inside the
rubble.
“What has happened is a structural failure
of a building. Evidently, there must have
been some structural problems in the
foundation or the columns, slabs and
beams. They are inferior and not up to
what they should be.
Against rules, regulations
“I am also aware that this particular
structure was in default of the town
planning rules and regulations having
been constructed in excess of the
approved number of floors.
“It is a vindication of government’s
intention to bring to very close scrutiny
applications for buildings to make sure
that integrity intended is what is given
out.
“Getting the approval is one thing, but
sticking to what was approved is another.
We are going to be more stringent in our
inspectorate arms in the Ministry of Lands
and the Town Planning Authority.
“We want to make sure that all the
citizens of Enugu live in secured homes.”
At press time, the excavator from
ESWAMA was still removing the rubble.
No casualty had been found, although
those living in the neighbourhood
expressed fears that some miscreants,
who normally smoke in the uncompleted
building, could be present at the time of
collapse.
Suspected fowl play
However, a woman who claimed to be a
relation of the property owner said that
the family suspected fowl play as the
building erected in the last two years
couldn’t have collapsed without any
interference.
She said that the developer had genuine
Certificate of Occupancy on the said
property in addition to the approval by the
state Town Planning Authority.
She alleged that someone believed to be
representing the interest of some people
in government “had demanded N20
million to enable them allow the
construction of the building, but the
developer declined.”
She alleged: “We had on our own offered
to demolish part of the building to meet
the government’s specification, but this
was rejected by the government officials.
We believe that there is something to it
than we are made to understand.”
Meanwhile, Lands Commissioner said
that the property would be revoked for
violating town planning regulations,
adding that a thorough investigation
would be conducted to determine the
cause of the collapse.