The Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) has disclosed that initial findings indicate the collapsed Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha centenary building did not receive the necessary permissions from relevant authorities.
Professor Akaolisa Ezeagu, leading the NBRRI Technical Team on Building Collapse in Anambra State, said that no official approvals were obtained before constructing the large structure.
He blamed the collapse on foundation issues stemming from a disconnect between the building team and the technical engineer.
Ezeagu maintained that such large-scale buildings should undergo comprehensive approval processes, including scrutiny from a central authority.
He noted discrepancies between the prescribed foundation by the engineer and what was implemented by the construction team.
The expert stressed the need for buildings of this nature to be vetted and approved by a state central body to ensure a thorough review of architectural and engineering documents to prevent such incidents.
“We have seen that there was a gap between the technical engineer and the construction team in terms of the foundation the technical engineer prescribed and the one the construction team used.
“Again, the document they gave us had no approval stamps by any known authority, which should not be the case.
“The drawings we saw had no stamp of any central approval to show that it had been studied and given a seal of approval to commence.
“This type of building should get approval from a central body in the state, which will thoroughly go through the documents submitted by the architect, engineers, and look for gaps, and where there is none, construction will be approved,” he said.
Ezeagu explained that their investigation aims to ascertain responsibility, identify concerns, and propose improvements. He commended the cooperation of the school and construction team in providing necessary information for the investigation.
The team has conducted tests on soil, granite, reinforcement, and beam-casting samples to gather further insights. Ezeagu expressed concerns about recurring building collapses in Onitsha and recommended extensive research on soil types and building height capabilities.
He concluded that their findings would be compiled into a report, to be published and accessible to the public upon completion.
News Central reports that last week, at least one person was confirmed dead after a five-storey structure situated in the Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State in Nigeria’s South-east collapsed.
