By CHARLES IWUOHA

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has announced the indefinite suspension of all the members of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board (ACTDB) following non supervision of buildings in the state which led to the collapse of uncompleted three-storey building in Nkaliki area of the state.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen and signed by the secretary to the state government and coordinating commissioner, Dr Kenneth Ugbala. The statement reads in full: “Following the directive of His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, the members of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board are hereby suspended indefinitely from their offices with mimmediate effect.

“The indefinite suspension is as result of their failure to supervise buildings within the Capital City which led to the collapse of three (3) Story building along Nkaliki road in Abakaliki Local Government Area.

“The office of Secretary to the State Government will announce a new taskforce on building approval, construction and supervision. The taskforce shall be responsible for building approvals, construction and supervision of all sites within the capital city.

”The suspended members of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board are further directed to hand over government property in their possession to SA to Governor on Capital City before the close of work on Wednesday 22nd July, 2020.”

The three-storey building under construction reportedly collapsed as a result of use of substandard materials.

The building is located at Nkaliki road opposite the Abakaliki Laval government council headquarters.

It was gathered that no life was lost in the incident as workers had not resumed work at the time the building collapsed.

Following the unfortunate incident, Ebonyi State Government has ordered the arrest of the site engineer handling the uncompleted building.

The state commissioner for internal security and Border Peace, Mr Stanley Okoro Emegha, alongside the special Assistant to me Governor on capital city, Mrs Chinyelu Udoku, were on ground at the site to inspect the level of damage caused by the collapsed building.

“I am directed that the site be sealed while the police should immediately arrest the site engineer. He must explain what led to the collapsed of the building.

“Fortunately no life was lost but government must find out what transpired,” Emegha said.

On her part, Udoku also directed that the Abakaliki capital Territory should provide the person that gave approval for the building and instructed the residents to evacuate the area immediately.

Meanwhile, some of the residents who spoke to journalists on ground of anonymity said the building was showing signs of deficiency even before the incident occurred.