The Anambra State House of Assembly, through the motion sponsored by the member representing Njikoka Two Constituency, Dr. Jude Akpua, during plenary, has passed a resolution urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Managing Director of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, and the Chairman, Material Testing Agency in the state to ensure that buildings under construction across the sate are continuously monitored after the initial approval to ensure strict compliance with all structural regulations.
This, according to the House, is to forestall cases of building collapse in the state.
Sponsoring the motion, Dr. Akpua informed his fellow lawmakers that experts attribute the cause of incessant building collapse to use of substandard materials, non-adherence and compliance to design and structural specifications, lack of comprehensive subsoil investigation before design are done, use of quacks, among others.
He observed that negative impacts of building collapse inflict both physical injuries and death, psychological and economic losses that cause untold hardship and pain, as well as leave the victims traumatized.
Recall that recently three persons from same family in Nimo, Dr. Akpua’s constituency, lost their lives when a storey building with a pent house collapsed on them at Egbu Umuenem Otolo Nnewi while they were on electrical work in the building; still under construction.
Contributing to the motion on the floor of the House, the member representing Onitsha North Two Constituency, Honourable Pat Okafor, disclosed that strict compliance to building ethics and regulations; as provided by the relevant agencies, will ensure that structural integrity of buildings in Anambra State are of the highest standards, as access to safe and affordable buildings for Ndi Anambra is a major contributor to sustainable development.
On his part, the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Honourable Bernard Udemezue, who called for a rigorous physical monitoring of building construction across the state by the relevant authorities, urged developers to desist from cutting corners in building construction to put an end to cases of building collapse.
Others, including the member representing Ihiala Two Constituency, Honourable Golden Ilo, and the member representing Ogbaru One Constituency, Honourable Noble Igwe, charged the concerned authorities to be alive to their responsibilities to address the ugly trend.
Speaker of the House; Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, who warned quacks to desist from building construction in the state, said anybody caught will be punished accordingly.
