A two-storey residential building has collapsed in Nnewi, Anambra State, with no loss of life recorded.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in the state, Chijioke Ojukwu, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday.
The building, located in the Inyaba-Umudim area of Nnewi North Local Government Area, reportedly collapsed on Sunday.
Ojukwu visited the scene to assess the extent of the damage and described the incident as unfortunate.
He, however, expressed relief that no fatality had been recorded.
The commissioner said the ministry had issued an evacuation notice to occupants of a nearby three-storey building to ensure their safety and allow officials to conduct an integrity test on the structure.
According to him, buildings within the affected neighbourhood will also undergo mandatory integrity tests, while structures found to be unsafe will be demolished.
“The building was poorly constructed; it was built without the requisite approval of the ministry.
“It was built on a wall fence of an existing three-storey building by a developer,” Ojukwu said.
He added that occupants of the three-storey building, which shares the same compound with the collapsed structure, would be evacuated as a precautionary measure.
“We will evacuate all the occupants of the three-store building, which shares the same compound with the collapsed building,” he said.
Ojukwu said the ministry was still working to establish whether there were any casualties from the collapse.
The commissioner further announced plans for a statewide crackdown on structures that violate building regulations.
He said buildings constructed on the perimeter fences of existing structures, those that fail to comply with mandatory setback requirements and those erected without the necessary government approvals would be targeted.
Ojukwu warned that buildings that fail the integrity assessment would be demolished in accordance with the state’s building regulations.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about compliance with building standards and approval processes in Anambra, particularly as authorities intensify efforts to prevent building collapses and protect residents.
The commissioner urged property developers and building owners to comply with approved planning regulations and obtain the necessary permits before commencing construction.
