A major tragedy was narrowly avoided in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after a newly completed event centre collapsed before it could be commissioned for public use.
The facility, known as Igbehinadun Cooperative Event Centre and located along Agagu Road, reportedly suffered a partial structural failure shortly after construction was completed and furnished ahead of its planned inauguration.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents, who are questioning the integrity of the building and the effectiveness of government oversight on construction projects intended for public use.
Photographs obtained by our correspondent revealed extensive damage to the upper section of the building, with parts of the exterior walls torn apart, broken concrete slabs, distorted roofing sheets and shattered fittings. Furniture and other installations prepared for the facility’s opening were also said to have been affected.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the collapse occurred last Wednesday but was not immediately brought to public attention.
A visit to the site showed that the premises had been sealed off by government authorities, with an official notice pasted on the entrance gate. The facility remained under lock and key.
Although the exact cause of the collapse had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report, residents described the incident as a wake-up call for authorities responsible for regulating building projects.
One resident, who lives near the area, said the extent of the damage suggested the incident could have resulted in a large-scale disaster if the centre had already commenced operations.
“Looking at the destruction, it is frightening to imagine what could have happened if there was a wedding ceremony, burial reception or political gathering inside the hall when it collapsed,” the resident said.
Another resident questioned how a newly completed structure designed to accommodate a large number of people could fail before opening.
“Public facilities should undergo thorough integrity assessments before approval. The relevant government agencies need to explain how this building got to this stage,” the resident stated.
A third resident called for accountability, insisting that the public deserves to know whether all required construction standards and approval procedures were followed.
“This should not be swept under the carpet. If approvals were granted, there must be transparency about the process. Those responsible should be identified if any negligence is established,” the resident added.
Some officials at the scene were said to have restricted access to the premises following the incident, though photographs of the damaged structure were taken from outside the property.
There was no immediate confirmation of casualties, while authorities had yet to release an official report detailing the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
When contacted, the Ondo State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Sunday Olajide, declined to comment extensively on the matter over the telephone.
Confirming government action on the property, the commissioner simply stated that the facility had been sealed.
“That place has been put under seal,” he said.
He, however, declined further comments, insisting that discussions on the matter could not be held over the phone.
The state government has yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the cause of the collapse or indicate whether sanctions would be imposed if investigations uncover violations of building regulations.
The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of construction standards and comprehensive structural assessments before public facilities are opened for use.
