Gov Ikpeazu Suspends Aba Town Planning Boss Over Building Collapse

The governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Thursday, suspended the executive secretary of the Aba Town Planning Authority, Mr Okezie Ahutionye, over the collapse of a three-storey building under construction in Aba. Gov Ikpeazu stated this when he visited the collapse site on Thursday.

While expressing his regrets and condolences over the incident, Gov Ikpeazu expressed shock at the substandard materials deployed in the building. To forestall such occurrences, the governor directed the suspension of Mr Ahutionye with immediate effect, and ordered security agents to arrest the developer of the property for prosecution. He further mandated the state ministry of land, planning and survey to thoroughly supervise construction sites in the state.

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He also berated contractors and individuals who ‘embark on building constructions without obtaining proper approvals’, and called on them to desist from such, or be ready to face the consequences.

The governor was accompanied during the tour by his deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu; the acting transition council chairperson of Aba South LGA, Fred Aja Ogwo, among others.

THE WHISTLER reports that the Wednesday’s building collapse has so far claimed five lives following the death of two more persons yesterday.

In another development, Gov Ikpeazu has announced the appointment of the deputy general manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Roland Nwakanma, as the coordinator of the rescue efforts at the site of the collapsed building.

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