Delta Govt Blames Asaba Building Collapse on Illegal Construction

The Delta State Government has blamed the recent collapse of a two-storey building in Asaba on widespread regulatory violations, including the lack of an approved building plan, use of inferior materials, and the involvement of an unqualified site engineer.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Michael Anoka, made this known on Friday during an on-site inspection of the collapsed structure, located opposite the Airport Police Station near the Asaba International Airport in Okpanam.

The building, which was still under construction, came down on Thursday evening. Although no lives were lost, a number of workers were initially trapped but later rescued.

According to Mr. Anoka, the state had previously flagged the site for regulatory breaches and had served multiple stop-work notices on the developer. “The project had no approved building plan. We had sealed the site and issued several warnings, but the developer ignored these directives and resumed work illegally,” he said.

Further investigations by the ministry revealed a troubling pattern of negligence. Anoka noted that substandard materials were used in the construction and the site was being managed by an engineer without proper qualifications, both of which contributed to the structural failure.

In response to ongoing concerns about illegal developments and safety risks, the commissioner announced the rollout of a digital monitoring system to enhance development control across the state. The system, he explained, would allow authorities to track project approvals by location and the responsible planning officers, aiming to curb the spread of forged permits and unauthorised construction.

“The goal is to enforce compliance and prevent avoidable tragedies like this one,” Anoka said. “We’re sending a strong message, developers who sidestep regulations will face the full weight of the law.”

The state government has pledged to prosecute all those found culpable in the Asaba incident under Delta’s existing urban development laws.