Monday, June 15, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Collapsed market structure: Abia govt sets up Independent Investigative Committee

Textile-market-1

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

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 report in some quarters that several people died in the building collapse incident.

The Director General of Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Uche Ukeje, said in a statement that the independent committee, led by Fliex C. Nnabugwu, comprised 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 their report within two  weeks.

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

Meanwhile, GADA, which officials visited the site of the incident yesterday, 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 report.