Hotel Owner Killed as Building Under Construction Collapses in Uromi, Edo State
Tragedy struck the Idumoza community in Uromi, Esan North East LGA of Edo State, as a hotel under construction collapsed on Friday, claiming the life of its owner, Andrew Isesere.
Isesere, who was reportedly supervising construction work at the time of the incident, was trapped beneath the rubble when the structure gave way. His body was recovered on Sunday morning two days after the collapse sending shockwaves across the local community.
According to eyewitness accounts, more than 20 construction workers were present at the site when the building crumbled.
Though some sustained minor injuries, the majority escaped with their lives. Eyewitnesses and residents expressed deep grief over the loss of Isesere but also thanked God that the casualty count wasn’t higher.
Initial investigations by locals and construction experts point to the use of substandard building materials and poor engineering practices as the likely cause of the collapse. “He used 12mm rods instead of the recommended 16mm for the pillars, and there was no base basket or structural engineer on site,” said Andrew Inegbebor, a nearby resident. “He was warned but didn’t listen. This is the result.”
This fatal incident echoes a worrying trend in Nigeria, where building collapses have become alarmingly frequent. Many of these tragedies are attributed to the use of low-grade building materials, lack of licensed structural engineers, poor oversight and enforcement of building regulations, and cost-cutting at the expense of safety. Such practices continue to cost lives and raise concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s growing construction industry.
While the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, stated he was yet to be briefed on the incident, residents are calling for a full-scale investigation and stronger enforcement of construction laws. Many urge state authorities to hold violators accountable and prevent similar disasters.
This tragedy offers sobering lessons for homeowners, builders, and government agencies alike. Every construction project should involve qualified engineers, architects, and surveyors. Saving costs with low-quality materials often leads to structural failure. Government regulators must inspect ongoing projects and sanction non-compliant builders. Communities must also be informed about the dangers of unregulated construction.
As Uromi mourns the loss of one of its own, calls for accountability and structural reform in the Nigerian construction industry grow louder.
