Tension in Nnewi as Two-Storey Building Collapses, Government Orders Structural Integrity Test

By Praise Chinecherem

NNEWI — Tension gripped residents of Inyaba-Umudim in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Sunday after a two-storey residential building collapsed, raising fresh concerns over building standards and compliance with physical planning regulations.

The collapsed structure, located in Nnewi North Local Government Area, was reportedly constructed on the perimeter wall of an existing three-storey building within the same compound.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Bar Chijioke Ojukwu, confirmed the incident during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene on Monday.

Describing the collapse as unfortunate, Ojukwu said authorities had not confirmed any loss of life as of the time of his visit.

“We have not been able to confirm if there is any casualty of life. What is important is that the building was poorly constructed and was built without the requisite approval of the Ministry,” he said.

According to the commissioner, preliminary findings indicated that the collapsed two-storey structure was developed on the wall fence of an existing three-storey building, a situation he said violated approved building and setback regulations.

“It was built on a wall fence of an existing three-storey building by a developer. We shall be evacuating all the occupants of the three-storey building, which shares the same compound with the collapsed two-storey building,” Ojukwu stated.

He said the three-storey building would undergo a mandatory structural integrity test to determine whether it remained safe for habitation.

“The building will be subjected to a mandatory integrity test, and if it fails to meet the required standards, it will be demolished,” he warned.

Ojukwu further disclosed that the ministry would intensify enforcement against developers who construct buildings without official approval or violate established setback requirements.

“We shall be carrying out symbolic demolitions of similar buildings constructed within the perimeters of existing buildings in violation of setback rules and without the requisite approval,” he said.

The commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to enforcing approved building standards, ensuring structural integrity and protecting lives and property across the state.

The incident has again brought to the fore concerns over unauthorised construction and the need for strict compliance with building regulations to prevent avoidable structural disasters.

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