Port Harcourt Building Collapse Exceeds Approved Plans

A building in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, collapsed on Wednesday, exceeding the approved plan by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Dr. Edward Hart, speaking to journalists, described the incident as unfortunate and stressed the importance of adhering strictly to approved building plans.

The original approval was for a three-storey hotel, which was later expanded to five storeys. Hart lamented that this incident was part of a troubling trend, as two buildings had collapsed within one week, including a three-storey building in the Rumuelumeni area of Port Harcourt, which fortunately did not result in casualties.

The Rivers State government is intensifying its monitoring efforts and clamping down on construction projects that lack proper approvals. Hart called for an urgent review of civil construction activities to strengthen collaboration among relevant ministries and professional bodies, aiming to eliminate the use of substandard materials and unqualified personnel in construction.