Oyo Government Halts Construction and Seals Collapsed Building in Ibadan

Following the collapse of a two-storey commercial building in Dugbe, Ibadan, the Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate cessation of all construction activities at the site. The building, which belongs to a popular restaurant chain, gave way during a rainstorm on Sunday night, prompting swift government intervention.

Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, who inspected the scene on Monday, emphasized that the sealing off of the site was to safeguard lives and property and to enable a comprehensive assessment of the cause. “Professionals from the Ministry of Works would have to come and carry out an integrity test, after which the report would advise us on the next action to be taken on the property,” he said.

Akin-Funmilayo expressed concerns about the construction materials, suggesting that sub-standard products might have contributed to the collapse. He also announced plans to test other buildings owned by the same engineering team to ensure public safety. “If we find out that the other outlets fail the integrity test, we will bring them down,” he added.

This recent collapse echoes the tragic event in October 2024, where 10 lives were lost in a similar incident in Ibadan, underscoring the urgency of stringent building regulations.