Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, has inaugurated a panel to probe the building collapse at Ọdụ Igbo market in Ochanja and Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha.

On February 26, five people were reportedly killed and 26 others rescued from the site of a building collapse at a market in Ochanja.

On June 12, a five-storey building under construction at the DMG school in Onitsha gave way.

Inaugurating the panel on Thursday at the governor’s lodge in Awka, the state capital, Soludo asked members to identify the immediate and underlying causes of the collapse.

The governor also urged the panel to discharge its duties professionally.

“The building collapse at Ọdụ Igbo and DMGS, Onitsha has become one too many,” Soludo said.

“There is no better qualified team than you, to get to the root of this matter. I’m sure the nation will benefit immensely from your recommendations.

“Give us the best and then we get to work.”

The panel is chaired by Victor Meju, who is also the chairman of the Anambra chapter of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). 

Members include Ikenna Eboh, chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architect (NIA) Anambra chapter; Nwofor Obiora, chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Anambra chapter; Gabriel Okeke, chairman, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors Anambra chapter.

Others are Kingsley Nweke, chairman, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) Anambra chapter; Ebosie Ezeoke, chief executive officer (CEO) Anambra State Material Testing Laboratory; Ezeagu Akaolisa, chairman Institute of Structural Engineers and the permanent secretary, Ministry of Housing in Anambra state.

Meju appreciated the governor for finding them worthy of the role.

“We understand the sacred nature of the appointment to the state government,” he said.

“We will articulate our recommendations for the benefit of ndị Anambra.”