Tragedy struck in Idumoza community of Uromi, Edo State, as a hotel owner, Mr. Andrew Isesere, was crushed to death when his under-construction building collapsed on Sunday.
According to reports from the scene, Isesere was inside the building at the time of the collapse and became trapped beneath the rubble. Emergency responders recovered his body on Sunday morning after the incident occurred in Esan North East Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where more than 20 construction workers narrowly escaped death. Several workers sustained varying degrees of injuries and received immediate assistance from locals before medical help arrived.
Substandard Materials Suspected as Cause
Preliminary investigations by community members point to the use of inferior building materials and lack of professional oversight as potential causes of the collapse. A local resident, Mr. Andrew Inegbebor, revealed that the deceased owner personally managed the construction without engaging qualified engineers.
"He was advised several times about the quality of materials being used," Inegbebor stated. "Instead of 16mm rods, he used 12mm. The pillars didn't even have base baskets. The whole structure was weak."
The collapse was reportedly sudden and devastating. Many community members expressed sadness that Isesere, who had allegedly been warned about structural concerns, died in the very building he was overseeing.
Attempts by BenriNews to reach the Edo State Police Command for an official statement were unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said he had not yet been briefed on the matter.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about building standards and construction safety across Nigeria, where building collapses have claimed numerous lives in recent years. Construction experts continue to advocate for stricter enforcement of building codes and professional supervision of construction projects.
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