Anambra Government Concerned Over Frequent Building Collapses

The frequent building collapses in Anambra State have become a significant concern and embarrassment for the state government, according to Chike Maduekwe, the Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board. Maduekwe expressed that the quick succession of these incidents suggests a lack of regulatory oversight.

During a press briefing at his office in Amawbia on Saturday, Maduekwe explained that there are always specific reasons behind each collapse, rather than solely blaming the individuals involved. He noted, “Building collapses cannot be completely eradicated because they involve human factors. Human errors cannot be entirely ruled out in anything that involves people. You can sequentially reduce it, but you cannot completely eliminate it.”

He compared the situation to the airline industry, which, despite being highly regulated, still experiences plane crashes. The accident investigation bodies often identify causes and prevent future incidents, but this approach is not always applied to building collapses.

Maduekwe emphasized that the state government is taking the issue seriously and plans to work with consultants, professional bodies, engineers, architects, and builders to address the problem. He highlighted that no government has sufficient personnel to ensure continuous monitoring, hence the need for collaboration.