This announcement was made on Tuesday by the Bishop of the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owens Nwokolo, during a visit to the crash site with other Anglican bishops in Anambra, led by Archbishop Alexander Ibezim.

Expressing gratitude for the support, prayers, and love shown, Bishop Nwokolo revealed that the panel members are seasoned experts in building projects across the country.

The panel will be chaired by Justice Pete Obiora of the Court of Appeal. Other members include Andy Obianwu, Architect Shed Onwuasoanya, Dr. Azuka Onweluzor, Engr. Ofodile Anaeto, Architect Peter Okpala, Surveyor Samuel Akabogu, Engr. Chukwunonso Igboka, and Architect Kingsley Ibekwe.

READ ALSO: Four Feared Trapped As 4-storey Building Collapses In Anambra

Bishop Nwokolo emphasized the panel’s extensive knowledge and experience in building and estate development, urging them to apply their expertise to this critical investigation. He noted the minimal casualties despite the destruction, attributing this to divine intervention.

Citing Bible passages for comfort, Bishop Nwokolo highlighted the significance of DMGS to the Anglican Church and its contributions to the growth and development of Anambra State, the nation, and humanity.

Justice Obiora’s nine-point terms of reference include examining the administrative and technical processes followed in the building’s construction to ensure proper procedures were adhered to, reviewing the building plan for compliance with standards, and verifying if necessary approvals were obtained from the relevant authorities.

READ ALSO; South Africa Building Collapse Claims Four Lives, Dozens Remain Trapped

The panel will also determine whether the architectural and structural designs were handled by qualified professionals registered with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and COREN, respectively. Furthermore, they will assess the supervision of the construction process and the quality assurance of materials used, including testing by the Anambra State materials testing laboratory.

The panel has 30 days to submit its report. Bishop Nwokolo assured the Church’s full cooperation with any governmental or professional efforts to uncover the reasons behind the building’s collapse.

The Centenary Building, sponsored by the DMGS Old Boys Association as their signature project for the school’s 100th anniversary next year, collapsed at about 1 am on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.

The post Anglican Diocese Launches Investigation into Onitsha Building Collapse appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The council carried out the demolition in February, citing the buildings and equipment as a nuisance and defacing the city’s topography.

At a stakeholders meeting with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the sand miners, represented by the Onitsha Sand Miners Association, expressed deep dismay over the demolition. Association President, Chief Chris Mbaegbu, claimed that more than 10 crafts and sand dredgers worth over N30 million each were destroyed, along with buildings worth billions of naira.

Mbaegbu noted that the demolition occurred despite an interlocutory injunction from a court restraining such actions, which he considered contempt of court. He highlighted the devastating impact on over 2,000 individuals who are now jobless due to the demolition’s ripple effect on their dependents.

READ ALSO: Benue Govt Plans Demolition of Property Housing Kidnappers, Cyber Fraudsters

The sand miners urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene and restore their businesses, noting their contributions through revenue payments to the state government, NIWA, and the Federal Ministry of Mines.

NIWA’s Area Manager for Onitsha, Nicholas Suleiman, clarified during the meeting that NIWA did not sell the land to the sand miners, dispelling social media rumors.

He explained that the miners were tenants to those who acquired the lands from the original landowners. Suleiman emphasized that NIWA controls the 100 meters from the River Niger and grants certifications for mining operations, with revenues shared between the federal, state, and local governments.

READ ALSO: Enugu Widows, Residents in Distress Over Demolition

Responding to the situation, the Secretary of the Onitsha South Local Government Area, Paul Onuachalla, defended the demolition, stating that the local government had warned against overloading tipper vehicles with sand, which damages roads.

He denied committing contempt of court, asserting that the demolition was completed before the court order was received.

The post Onitsha Sand Miners Demand Justice After Demolition of Mining Sites appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The building, intended for commercial purposes upon completion, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday while some construction workers were on the top floor.

An excavator has been deployed to the site to facilitate the evacuation of rubble and potentially rescue any trapped victims.

READ ALSO: Anambra Government Issues Stern Warning to Onitsha Landlords, Offers Incentives for City Beautification

The cause of the collapse has not been determined. However, as of the time of this report, one person has been rescued, and rescue operations are ongoing.

Details of the incident remain limited, and attempts to reach the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, for confirmation have been unsuccessful. The Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Chinyere Nworah, has also yet to respond to inquiries.

The post Two Trapped, Scores Injured as Five-Storey Building Collapses in Onitsha appeared first on Housing TV Africa.