Anambra Assembly calls for strict compliance with structural regulations to forestall building collapse
By Anastasia Agunwa/ Chizoba Okeke/ Gloria Abugu
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Gov. Charles Soludo to direct the Managing Directors Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Anambra State Physical Planning Board, and the Chairman Material Testing Agency to ensure that buildings across the state were continuously monitored after the initial approval, while under construction.
The lawmakers added that it would ensure strict compliance with all structural regulations to forestall building collapse.
The House resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by the member representing Njikoka II constiuency, Mr. Jude Akpua and seconded by Mr. Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru 1 constiuency during plenary on October 26.
The Speaker of the House, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary had moved for the resolution of the House while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.
Mr. Udeze said, "I join my voice to the sponsor of this motion because it is a very serious matter. The Material Testing Agency needs to work with other agencies.
"We call on the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development to assist government in putting an end to building collapse in the State".
Speaking on the motion, Mr. Akpua expressed worrisome that experts attributed the cause of incessant building collapses to use of substandard materials, non compliance to design and structural specifications.
Others he added were lack of comprehensive sub-soil investigation before designs were done, illegal conversion or alteration to existing structures and use of quacks or non professional builders.
Akpua, who is the Deputy Majority leader expressed concern that the negative impacts of building collapse inflict both physical injuries, death, psychological and economic losses that cause untold hardship and pain, leaving the victims traumatized.
He was optimistic that strict compliance to building ethics and regulations as provided by the relevant agencies would ensure that the structural integrity of buildings in the State were of the highest standards.
Akpua stressed that access to safe and affordable homes and buildings for Ndi Anambra is a major contributor to sustainable development.
"Aware that the rate of building collapse in the State is at all time high, which has become a life threatening menace that is now a major cause of deaths and physical injuries to its victims in Anambra State.
"Further aware that Awka Capital Territory Development Authority and Anambra State Physical Planning Board are the established government bodies saddled with the responsibility to approve, inspect and monitor public and private buildings in the State," he noted.
While recalling the lost of three family members of Nimo town, his constituent during a building collapse at Nnewi recently, Akpua expressed sadness that some people engage quacks to build their house instead of using professional Engineers, attributing the cause of incessant building collapse in the state to natural and man-made phenomenon.
The lawmakers that spoke in favour of the motion are Mr. Pius Okoye representing Awka South II constituency, Mr. Anayo Okpalaeke representing Aguata 1, Mr. Emmanuel Nwafor representing Orumba South, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme representing Ekwusigo, Mr. Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru 1 and Mr. Ejike Okechukwu representing Anaocha II constituency.
Others include Mr. Golden Iloh representing Ihiala II constiuency, Mr. Patrick Okafor representing Onitsha North II, Mr. Ike Augustine representing Nnewi North, Mr. Patrick Udoba representing Anambra West, Mr. Jude Ngobili representing Ihiala 1, Mr. Chidiebele Ibemeka representing Njikoka 1 and Mr. Bernard Udemezue representing Ayamelum constituency.
They described the motion as apt, urging the agencies concerned to do the needful to achieve results without being compromised.
The legislators said that the agencies should go to the building sites for testing and monitoring, advising them to cancel previous approval given to defaulters.
They expressed displeasure that building approvals were being given in their offices in Awka, not at the sites, suggesting that government should hold them liable if someone dies in a building without proper approval.
According to the lawmakers, there should be a rigorous monitoring from the building foundation to DPC and up to the roofing to ensure the building is fit to live in.
"The agencies should live up to their responsibilities; And the building owners should not drive them nor see them as disturbance to their work", they stated. (Ministry of Information)
The information officers report from the State House of Assembly, Awka.
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