A two-storey residential building has collapsed at Inyaba-Umudim in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, with no loss of life reported.
The incident occurred on Sunday, with the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Chijioke Ojukwu, confirming the development to journalists on Monday.
Ojukwu, who visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment, described the incident as unfortunate but expressed relief that no fatality had been recorded.
The Commissioner said the collapsed structure was allegedly constructed without the requisite approval from the ministry and was built on the perimeter wall of an existing three-storey building.
He disclosed that occupants of the adjoining three-storey building had been served an evacuation notice to allow authorities to conduct an integrity test on the structure and ensure their safety.
According to him, other buildings within the neighbourhood will also undergo mandatory integrity tests, with structures found to be unsafe facing possible demolition.
Ojukwu said, “The building was poorly constructed; it was built without the requisite approval of the ministry. It was built on a wall fence of an existing three-storey building by a developer.”
He added that occupants of the adjoining three-storey building would be evacuated as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of the integrity assessment.
The Commissioner further announced plans for a statewide enforcement exercise against buildings constructed on the perimeter fences of existing structures, those violating required setback regulations and buildings erected without the necessary government approval.
The state government said the measures are aimed at preventing further building collapses and protecting lives and property across Anambra State.
