ABAKALIKI – The Ebonyi House of Assembly on Tuesday described the collapse of the N60 million centenary tower as a huge embarrassment to the government and people of the state.
It also directed its works committee to investigation the remote and immediate causes of the incident, which occurred at the weekend.
Introducing a motion on the incident, Chief Obasi Odefa (PDP-Onicha East), who condemned the development, described it as a “huge loss” to the state.
“The colossal loss is made painful by the huge amount wasted; I urge the assembly to mandate its works committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the collapse.
“Those involved in its construction, especially the contractor and the state ministry of works, should be summoned over the incident,” he said.
The members, who contributed to the motion, condemned the development.
The motion, which was put to vote by the Speaker, Chief Chukwuma Nwazunku, was unanimously adopted.
Speaking after adopting, the speaker directed the House Committee on Works, headed by Mrs Mabel Aleke (PDP-Ohaukwu South), to investigate the incident.
“The committee has two weeks to submit its report; we have the duty to protect the interest of the people always,” he said.
The tower, which was being constructed to commemorate the 100 years of the nation’s existence, was scheduled to be completed before May 29.
The upper part of the tower, made of metal, was pulled down by windstorm, leaving the two-storey concrete base intact.
The Commissioner for Works in the state, Mr Chukwuma Nwandugo, told NAN that the project was being supervised by the works sub-committee of the state’s centenary committee.
“The incident, in my own opinion, was caused by a natural disaster and not as a result of poor quality of work,” Nwandugo said. (NAN)
