A tragic building collapse has claimed the life of Mr. Andrew Isesere, the owner of an uncompleted hotel located in Idumoza community, Uromi, within the Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when the structure, still under construction, suddenly gave way while the owner was reportedly inside supervising work.
The collapse left residents in shock and mourning. According to community members, the deceased was passionate about the hotel project and often took a hands-on role in overseeing its construction. However, it was this personal involvement that ultimately placed him in harm’s way.
Rescue efforts were immediately launched following the collapse, but it wasn’t until the early hours of Sunday morning that Mr. Isesere’s body was finally recovered from beneath the debris. His death has sparked a wave of sadness, anger, and reflection across the community.
More than 20 laborers who were present on the construction site at the time narrowly escaped death. Eyewitnesses described how workers fled in panic as the building began to crumble. It remains unclear how they managed to survive, but many attribute their escape to sheer luck.
In the aftermath of the collapse, several residents voiced deep concern about the structural integrity of the building prior to the incident. They claimed that numerous warnings had been given to the late owner regarding the use of substandard materials and lack of professional oversight during the construction process.
Mr. Andrew Inegbebor, a local resident familiar with the construction work, spoke with reporters and confirmed the widespread concerns. “We warned him multiple times,” he said. “He was using 12mm iron rods for the pillars when the standard required 16mm. There were no base baskets at the footings of the pillars—just plain concrete. He didn’t employ a certified engineer to monitor the work. He was the one supervising everything himself.”
Inegbebor continued, “This is what happens when people ignore professional advice and cut corners. Unfortunately, he has paid the ultimate price.”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments, stating that the collapse was not entirely unexpected. According to them, cracks and irregularities had been observed in some parts of the structure prior to the incident, further raising suspicions that the materials used were below standard.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, SP Moses Yamu, said he was yet to receive official briefing on the matter. However, local authorities and emergency responders are believed to be conducting investigations into the cause of the collapse.
This incident adds to the growing list of building failures across Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about compliance with construction regulations, enforcement of safety standards, and the consequences of unregulated site management.
Residents of Idumoza have since called on the government and regulatory bodies such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to intensify efforts in monitoring construction projects, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where oversight is often lax.
As the community mourns the tragic loss of Mr. Andrew Isesere, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by negligence and non-compliance in the construction sector.