The Rivers State Government has said it did not approve the building plan for the five-storey structure that collapsed along Odili Road in Port Harcourt, killing one person and injuring three others.

Daily Trust recalls that the five-storey building, which was still under construction, collapsed on Wednesday, trapping several workers.

The state government, however, disclosed that the building plan was approved by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Daily Trust gathered that the structure was originally approved as a three-storey building but was later expanded to five storeys for use as a hotel.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Edward Hart, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, describing the incident as unfortunate.

He stressed the need for developers to strictly adhere to approved building plans, amid claims that the project was initially approved as a three-storey hotel but later extended to five floors.

Hart also lamented that the state had recorded two building collapses within one week, including a three-storey building that collapsed in the Rumuelumeni area of Port Harcourt without any casualties.

He said the government would intensify monitoring and clamp down on buildings constructed without proper approval.

“The building that collapsed on Odili Road did not receive approval from the Rivers State Government,” he said.

He added: “When a building plan is approved, always ensure that you keep to the approved plan. Don’t go outside the plan. As long as you keep to the approved plan, use quality materials and qualified personnel at your construction site, the building will definitely be intact.

“This building that collapsed was approved by the Federal Housing Authority. They approved it. They were even at the site. I’ll go further to state that the recent collapse of buildings calls for an urgent review of civil construction activities.”

Hart said the recent incidents underscored the need to review practices in the construction sector and strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and professional bodies involved in building projects.

“This will require tighter control of the approval process to eliminate quacks and the use of substandard materials and unqualified personnel, in addition to close and regular supervision by the ministry.

“Even when they comply, you sometimes find that some of the supervising engineers still use substandard materials in carrying out construction work. This has always been a challenge, even when they are being monitored,” he said.