A section of the International Conference Centre (ICC) that was under construction in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, caved in on Saturday, causing public alarm regarding safety protocols and building standards for one of the state's major tourism initiatives.
The ICC is part of the broader Ibom Tropicana development, an area where construction activities have surged in recent months following the re-awarding of the contract by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom.
Fortunately, there were no injuries or loss of life as a result of the cave- in.
When approached for comments on Tuesday, Emem Bob, the Commissioner for Finance and head of the Ministry of Special Duties responsible for the oversight of the project, indicated he would provide a statement after consulting with the project manager.
However, he did not answer subsequent calls the following day.
Journalists attempting to access the construction site on Wednesday afternoon were turned away by security personnel stationed at the gates.
While the project manager was absent for media inquiries, an individual who identified himself as Patrick Etti, the assistant yard manager, commented, “As this is a state government project, we cannot allow the media to disseminate any information without permission from the ministry.”
Etti refuted claims that labeled the incident as a structural failure, asserting, “It was not a 'collapse' but rather a formwork failure. It resembles a situation where if bamboo is employed in casting and one breaks, that marks the issue, not a structural defect. Fortunately, no one was harmed,” he added, affirming that construction efforts are still ongoing at the site.
The opposition has expressed concern over the incident. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Akwa Ibom expressed relief at the absence of casualties but found the event alarming. They accused the administration of rushing the project to meet a timeline for commissioning, raising issues about funding and procurement processes.
“We are thankful to God that there were no human losses due to the recent cave-in at the International Conference Centre in Uyo,” stated Ewa Okpo, a party spokesperson in Akwa Ibom.
The PDP further warned that inadequate financing of contractors may lead to compromised standards in construction, emphasizing that public safety should always be prioritized.
“It’s vital for the safety of Akwa Ibom residents to come before financial considerations,” the statement elaborated.
In terms of background, the ICC, alongside an adjacent hotel, is a component of the Ibom Tropicana project initially awarded during the tenure of former Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is now the Senate President. This ongoing project includes a 5,000-capacity international convention centre, a hotel with 200 rooms, the ARISE Shopping City, and an amusement park.
After being left dormant for years, the contract for its completion was reassigned last year under Governor Eno. While the state government insists progress is being made on the construction, the recent cave-in incident has cast a spotlight on issues of oversight, safety, and transparency in the development of public infrastructure.
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