A two-storey building under construction collapsed in Egbelu Mgbaraja, Ogbogoro Community, within Rivers State’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, resulting in one fatality and another individual suffering serious injuries.
The collapse, which took place around 2 p.m. on Monday, marked the area’s second such incident within a week.
Witnesses reported that the structure gave way while workers were on the second floor.
A young worker, known as Udeme from Akwa Ibom State, lost his life, while another narrowly escaped but was seriously hurt.
Eyewitness Jonathan Obey attributed the collapse to poor-quality materials and inadequate structural support.
Obey noted, “They used low-quality materials despite building a two-storey structure. The foundation was weak, with insufficient cement and rods, and the decking had no centre pillar or beam.”
Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, visited the scene, ordered the site sealed, and declared the developer wanted.
Bipi criticized the lack of government approval and use of substandard materials, vowing strict enforcement.
In a statement, Bipi expressed condolences to the victim’s family, while Commissioner for Special Duties Samuel Anya condemned the developer’s disregard for safety, stressing accountability for those involved.