Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday inaugurated a panel of inquiry on the building collapse incident at Plot 711, Cadastral Zone B04, Jabi District, Abuja.
A three-floor building under construction went down on August 17, 2018 leaving three persons dead and six others injured.
The Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Mr Chinyeaka Ohaa said the administration was desirous of unraveling the causes of the incident with a view to checking recurrence.
He revealed that officers who were to monitor the project have been suspended pending completion of investigations.
The committee which has three weeks to complete its work is to assess the quality of the subsoil, foundations and designs that were available for the structure, establish the quality of supervision and nature of construction materials used as well as the experience of the technical personnel at the site.
The committee is also expected to assess the level of regulation at the site and recommend appropriate sanction(s) against any person found wanting.
The panel is headed by the Director General of the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Prof. Danladi S. Matawal.
Members include: former Director of Engineering Services, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. S. O. Ugonabo; Managing Director, Fola Consult – a planning firm, Mr S. A. Olajide; Managing Director Z-Habit Concept – architectural firm Mr Philip Iortyer.
Also on the panel are: representatives of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), as well as the FCTA General Counsel, Barr. Mohammed Babangida Umar.
Speaking after the inauguration ceremony, chairman of the panel, Prof. Matawal stressed that the frequency of building collapse in Nigeria is unacceptable given the level of professionalism in the industry in the country.
He commended FCTA for tackling the incidence of collapsed building in the territory, noting that the last time this happened was in August 2016.
He recalled that in 2012 alone, there were over 20 recorded cases.
Prof. Matawal appreciated the confidence reposed in the committee members and assured that the panel will give the assignment the seriousness it deserves and perform its work with decorum, sincerity and attention to details.
He said the committee will also work with a vision for the future to ensure that occurrences of this nature which are very much avoidable are checked.
