Gombe PDP seeks Probe into Collapsed Assembly Complex
The Gombe State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the collapse of a section of the new State House of Assembly Complex. Daily Trust reports that at least one person was confirmed dead while seven others sustained injuries following the collapse of a section of […]
The Gombe State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the collapse of a section of the new State House of Assembly Complex.
Daily Trust reports that at least one person was confirmed dead while seven others sustained injuries following the collapse of a section of the cantilevered entrance canopy under construction at the complex.
The party in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdulkadir Ahmad Dukku, said the unfortunate incident raised serious concerns about compliance with approved engineering standards, construction quality, quality control measures and workplace safety protocols at the project site.
The PDP called on relevant regulatory authorities, professional engineering bodies, and other oversight agencies to immediately suspend all construction activities at the site, “pending a comprehensive independent and transparent investigation into both the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.”
Dukku stated that “the investigation should also determine whether there were failures in project planning, supervision, procurement processes, contract administration or adherence to established engineering and safety standards.
“Its findings should be made public and any contractor, consultant, supervising authority, public official, or individual found to have acted negligently or violated professional, procurement, or safety regulations should be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
According to him, the tragic incident also raised broader concerns about the quality of public infrastructure delivery in the state.
“Where profit is placed above quality, engineering standards are compromised and public projects become vulnerable to avoidable failures.
“The PDP, therefore, called for a thorough review of the procurement and implementation process for this project to determine whether due process was followed and whether any conflict of interest, undue influence or other irregularities contributed to this unfortunate incident,” he added.
While extending its heartfelt sympathies to the victims, their families and all those affected by the unfortunate incident, the PDP urged the state government to immediately assume full responsibility for the welfare of all affected workers by ensuring they receive comprehensive medical care, financial assistance and adequate compensation.
Meanwhile, the Gombe state government has ordered for an immediate investigation into the incident.
A statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation, Danladi Adamu, said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had directed the ministry, alongside relevant emergency, regulatory and technical agencies, to immediately commence safety and accountability procedures to determine the cause of the incident.
“As part of the investigation, the contractor handling the project and the supervising consultant have been directed to submit a formal incident report within 24 hours,” Adamu said.