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The Anambra State Physical Planning Board has expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of building collapses in the state, which have become a significant source of embarrassment for the government. Chike Maduekwe, the Executive Chairman of the board, highlighted the issue during a press briefing in his office in Amawbia on Saturday.
Maduekwe noted that the frequent collapses create the impression of a lack of regulatory oversight. “Buildings are collapsing in the state in quick succession, giving the impression that there is no regulatory body in place,” he said. He emphasized that each collapse can be traced to specific causes rather than attributing the failures solely to the individuals involved.
“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,” Maduekwe explained. He drew a parallel with the aviation industry, stating, “The most regulated industry in the world is the airline industry, yet we still experience plane crashes. The accident investigation bodies understand what happened and how to prevent future occurrences, but this is not always the case with building collapses.”
Maduekwe pointed out that, unlike in aviation, the causes of building collapses are often not thoroughly investigated, leading to repeated mistakes. “People often do not care to understand what happened. Sometimes, they blame the individuals in charge,” he added.
To address the issue, the Anambra State government plans to collaborate with consultants, professional bodies, engineers, architects, and builders. Maduekwe emphasized the government’s commitment to finding solutions despite the challenges of continuous monitoring due to limited personnel.
