…Collapsed seven-storey building
By: Felix Ikpotor
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has kept to his promise of probing the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s administration over the alleged mismanagement of over thirty six billion naira invested in the Auto Disabled Syringe Factory, Rumuosi in Obio/ Akpor local government area of the state.
This is even as he has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances that led to the collapse of a 7-storey building at Woji road in New GRA, Port Harcourt.
Recall that Wike had earlier vowed to probe Amaechi who is now the Transportation Minister over the failed factory project.
Port Harcourt Spectator also recalls that the building, which was under construction, collapsed on the workers on November 23, 2018, with atleast 13 persons confirmed dead.
The governor, at the brief inauguration ceremony, held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, charged the members to identify the owner of the building and the holder of the certificate of occupancy to the plot.
He asked them to ascertain whether the construction of the building was covered by any valid or approved building plan and whether requisite approvals were issued by the appropriate ministry or agency, prior to the commencement of construction.
Wike also charged the members to ascertain whether the architectural, engineering and structural designs of the said building were undertaken by competent and licensed experts in relevant fields.
The governor charged the commission to ascertain whether appropriate and necessary tests, including soil tests, were carried out to ascertain the suitability of the site for the construction of a building of that calibre.
On the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the affairs of Integrated Medical Industries Limited ( Auto Disabled Syringe Factory), the governor charged the commission to ascertain how much the Rivers State Government had invested in the company.
He charged members to also ascertain if funds and assets of Integrated Medical Industries Limited had been properly appropriated.
Wike also charged them to identify the persons responsible for selling or converting properties of Integrated Medical Industries Limited into personal use.
Responding, the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the collapsed building, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, assured the governor that the commission would execute its assignment as specified, and in line with the law.
Enebeli said: “The assignment touches on the essence of humanity; we shall not disappoint the people of Rivers.”
Also, the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the affairs of the Integrated Medical Industries Limited, Justice Douye Green, thanked Wike for giving him the privilege to serve.
