FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State Development and Building Control Agency yesterday sealed a building, following a gas explosion that led to its partial collapse.
The building, located at Number 48, Ogunrobo Street, off Newton Street, Ekosodin Quarters in Ovia North East Local Government Area, had the roof blown off as a result of the explosion.
Managing Director of the agency, Igabali Darlington confirmed that two students sustained various degrees of injuries in the explosion.
According to him, “The partial collapse of the building was as a result of a gas explosion and from all indications, the house is no longer habitable, hence the need for residents to quit the building.”
He added that the building was already a disaster in waiting because there were cracks on the wall, which indicated that it was seriously distressed.
The director, who said experts would be called upon to assess the building to ascertain the level of damage before actions would be taken, advised against the use of the building for the time being, ordering it to be sealed till further notice.
On his part, the Director, Department of Urban Renewal, Musa Daudu explained that it was rare for a building to collapse as a result of gas explosion, indicating that it had a weak structure, hence the colossal damage.
Meanwhile, the Director, Department of Planning Permit, Nosa Asemota, who sympathised with the victims, advised prospective developers to seek the advice of professionals before embarking on building projects to avoid future damages.
