Abia sets up probe into Aba market collapse

• Denies death reports

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Abia State government said it has set up an Independent Investigative Committee (IIC) to look into the causes of the collapse of a section of the Aba Shopping Centre under reconstruction.

This is even as the state government denied reports in some quarters that several people died in the building collapse incident.

The Director-General of Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Chief Uche Ukeje, said in a statement that the independent committee, led by Felix C. Nnabugwu, comprises members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Nigerian Institute of Builders.

Ukeje said the Committee is mandated to carry out a comprehensive and unbiased professional assessment and investigation of the incident at the Ekeoha Shopping Centre reconstruction site and bring out its report within two weeks.

He said the Committee’s report will be made public immediately it is received.

Meanwhile, GADA officials who visited the site of the incident on Wednesday has sealed off the construction site to prevent any further work until the investigation is concluded.

Ukeje, however, said following the Committee’s preliminary findings from their visit to the site, the chairman confirmed there was no structural collapse and no reported fatalities.

The government urged the public to ignore any misinformation and contradicting reports.