The Rivers State Government has said the collapse of an ultramodern Convocation Arena under construction at the University of Port Harcourt was either caused by slight equipment failure or misapplication by on-site operators.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information & Communications, Chris Finebone, he said the two injured people were receiving treatment in a hospital.
Finebone said that a preliminary investigation the state had conducted into the incident revealed that the accident was either due to slight equipment failure or misapplication by on-site operators.
He said that safety measures aimed at keeping such accidents at zero level during construction had been put in place, adding that such incidents sometimes happen.
The statement reads in part, “Gladly, no life was lost. Only two individuals obtained injuries – one on his leg and the other on his body. They are receiving adequate medical attention and are in no life-threatening situation at all.
“Considering that Rivers State is presently one huge construction site due to the burning desire of the governor, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to provide the necessary infrastructure for the State and federal institutions/agencies located in the State, it may not be totally unheard of that incidence like this may happen.
“What is important is that should they ever happen, their impact should not result in fatalities. It must be mentioned that, so far, the government has not recorded any fatalities at the numerous construction sites across the State from 2015 to date.
