.jpeg "Police in Akwa Ibom detain a false building engineer.")
The state police command apprehended a total of 96 individuals during the period of July to August 2023, and he was one of the suspects detained.
During a press conference held at the police headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, Commissioner of Police Olatoye Durosinmi provided an account of the incident that occurred on September 17, 2022. Specifically, he mentioned that a four-storey building located at No. 3 Iman Street, behind Zenith Bank, off Aka Road, Uyo, collapsed, resulting in the unfortunate demise of an individual named Favour Chukwuemeka Okoro. Additionally, five individuals were successfully rescued from the incident.
The individual identified as Felix Anietie Udoh from Felixzity High Technology Limited, who is purported to be the site engineer, absconded. The culprit was apprehended by the anti-robbery unit of the command on August 7, 2023. During the process of interrogation, the suspect admitted to not possessing the professional qualifications of an engineer, but rather identifying themselves as a builder.
During the interview with members of the press, the individual under suspicion claimed to possess professional expertise in construction, stating that the genesis of the structural failure of the building in question can be traced back to the year 2020. According to their account, the issues arose during the initial phase of construction, specifically during the construction of the first decking, due to the presence of excessive water accumulation within the premises. The proprietor of the edifice arrived in Nigeria.
I communicated to him that the water was permeating the foundation, suggesting the implementation of sand-filling the area and concreting the compound. However, he contended that such actions were not stipulated in the contractual agreement, so asserting that I was attempting to impose supplementary expenses upon him.
In the year 2021, while situated on the third deck, I once again captured his attention and proceeded to inform him about the detrimental effects of water accumulation within the foundation.
Specifically, I emphasized that such water presence has the potential to undermine the structural integrity of the foundation, leading to the development of cracks. The individual stated their intention to complete the task after concluding their current responsibilities. In the year 2022, during our occupancy on the fourth floor, the occurrence in question transpired.
When asked about his decision to persist with the project despite indications of potential structural failure, he explained that the building's owner had issued a stern warning, expressing his intention to take severe action against him if he were to abandon the construction.