By Madu Obi
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has inaugurated a panel of inquiry into the collapse of buildings at Ọdụ Igbo, Ochanja and Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, all in Onitsha..
The panel is made up of Engr. Victor Meju, the state chairman of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, who will serve as Chairman, Arc. Ikenna Eboh- Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Nwofor Ben Obiora Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP)Anambra State Chapter,
Gabriel Okeke Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Kingsley Nweke, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB).
Other members are the MD/CEO, Anambra State Material Testing Laboratory, Prof. Ezeagu Akaolisa, who is the chairman, Institute of Structural Engineers, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing who will serve as Secretary of the panel.
The panel is to identify the immediate and underlying causes of the collapse of Lockup shops at Ọdụ Igbo Ochanja and the centenary building at Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha, including structural, design, construction, and maintenance factors, assess the role of relevant authorities, including regulatory bodies and local government agencies, in monitoring and enforcing building codes and safety standards, among others and make recommendations.
Governor Soludo said the inauguration of the panel goes a long way to demonstrate the importance his government would place on the recommendations of the panel, which, he added, may form the basis for requisite actions.
He also charged them to discharge their job with the highest form of professionalism, which, according to him, was the reason they were chosen from various professional bodies.
Soludo said: "The building collapse at Ọdụ Igbo and DMGS, Onitsha have become incidents too many.
There is no better qualified team than you, to get to the root of this matter. I'm sure the nation will benefit immensely from your recommendations. Give us the best and then we get to work."
In his response,the chairman appreciated the governor for finding them worthy of the role.
"We understand the sacred nature of the appointment to the state government. We will articulate our recommendations for the benefit of Anambra State"; he said.
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