Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has established an investigation panel to determine the cause of the collapse of the Ministry of Salvation building in Okpanam, near Asaba.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of State Government (SSG), Patrick Ukah on Wednesday.
The governor expressed shock and sadness over the incident, which occurred on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the state government has suspended the processing and approval of construction plans for Core Area II, pending the completion of the panel assignment.
The panel has Helen Anazia, as chair, with Messrs. SA Aghagba and Rex Orhe, director and deputy director of the Ministry of Public Works, respectively, as members.
Other members include Orerhime Iduseri and Isichei Ekene, both from the Ministry of Housing, and Moses Agwere, deputy director of the Ministry of Justice.
A deputy director of the SSG Office, Igho Eduvie, will serve as secretary of the panel, which has two weeks to finalize its assignment.
The panel must investigate and report on the events related to the incident, the number and identity of the victims.
It is also expected, among other things, to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident, the scope and the adequacy of existing legislation, regulations, policies and processes related to the safety of public buildings.
Likewise, it is up to the panel to determine if the legislation, regulations, policies and processes were complied with, with regard to the case of the affected property.
The panel must identify any person or institution allegedly guilty in this regard.
It is also to establish the scope and adequacy of the legislation, regulations, policies and processes in force, in relation to the emergency management response to the incident.
It is expected to make recommendations on “necessary or desirable measures to prevent or minimize building collapse” in the state.
The NAN reported that Lieutenant Governor Kingsley Otuaro visited the scene of the incident to determine the extent of the damage.
Mr. Otuaro also visited the survivors at the Asaba Specialized Hospital, where they were receiving medical care.
Four dead people
The lieutenant governor confirmed to reporters that four people lost their lives in the incident.
He said he was thankful to God that the death toll was low, considering the scale of the incident.
“On my inspection visit we found out that it could have been worse. What I saw was almost a total collapse.
“We had a lot of children upstairs when the building completely collapsed,” he said.
Otuaro praised the coordinated responses of the various government ministries, departments and agencies in the rescue operation.
“The swift and coordinated responses led to the rescue of many people alive from the rubble.
“From what I saw, the patients are responding well and we hope that in a not too long time many of them will be discharged.
“Regarding the bills, we are a responsible government. So, we are going to be an integral part of everything that has happened.
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“We are going to do everything in our power to ensure that all is well with the affected families,” said the lieutenant governor.
(YAYA)