By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Delta state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons identified as the developer and contractor connected with the collapsed building in Asaba Police Commissioner in the state, Adeleke Adeyinka who spoke to journalists in Asaba on Monday said the two persons were being detained for further investigation.
Adeyinka who refused to give their names, said investigation was ongoing on the two buildings in Abraka and Asaba which collapsed with over seven persons killed.
“We have recovered two corpses in the collapsed building in Abraka Community while that of Asaba the only person died and investigation is ongoing with a view to ensuring those involved in the poor buildings are brought to the law”, the police boss said.
Following the collapse of a hotel building in Abraka Community under construction where four persons were killed, two bodies were on Sunday recovered.
Evacuation was said to have got under way immediately the incident occurred until evening around 6pm before the lifeless body of one of the trapped four persons was recovered and legs of another trapped in the rubbles.
Ethiope East local government boss, Chief Faith Majemite who spoke to Journalists in the area, said evacuation of the trapped bodies was ongoing, saying that the council officials would do everything possible to assist the evacuators.
Meanwhile, the state government has issued a stern warning against using quack contractors or substandard materials to build.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barr Chiedu Ebie who spoke to Journalists on Monday in Asaba disclosed that a total of five men in their prime were killed in the building collapse as a result of
perceived unethical practice by private developers and contractors.
He said that the state government had intensified efforts to make sure that only buildings that met standards are allowed to accommodate people after inspection by officials of the state Ministry of housing and warned members of the public to stay away from uncompleted buildings.
“We have the report that the building located somewhere in Camp 74 behind Ibori Gulf Course was started about seven years ago and abandoned four years later by the owner and the tragedy was more monumental in Abraka community where four people died”,Ebie lamented.
