Oko (Anambra) – Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra said on Monday that the state government would establish two additional building materials testing laboratories in Onitsha and Nnewi, with a view to ending incidences of building and infrastructure collapse in the state.
Obiano made this known at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area when he visited the scene of a collapsed uncompleted three-storey students’ hostel.
He said that the new laboratories, when established, together with the existing one in Awka, would provide quality control needs in the building industry in the state and Nigeria in general.
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He said that the laboratories would help abate the attendant loss of lives, property and resources occasioned by building collapse.
The governor, who, charged contractors in the state to adhere strictly to standards and ordered that the two student hostels located near the ill-fated collapsed one should be tested.
“The safety of students and every resident remain a major concern to my government, hence we will not hesitate to pull down these structures, if they fail the structural resistance test.”
Obiano ordered immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse which occurred on Sunday evening after a torrential rainfall.
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu, who was at the scene, explained that the project was being carried out by a private developer.
Onu commended Obiano for his visit to the scene, saying that it was a clear demonstration of his commitment towards the welfare of citizens of the state.
Although no death was confirmed, rescue workers with the aide of heavy duty equipment, were still at the site as at 4.30 p.m. on Monday evacuating the debris in search of possibly trapped persons.
Among the rescue workers are personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the state counterpart, (SEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Police.
An eyewitness had earlier told NAN that of the three persons staying in the building, only one person was able to escape when the building collapsed. (NAN)