We got administrative, technical approvals for collapsed building – DMGS
By Chimezie Anaso
Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, says it obtained all relevant technical and administrative approvals in the construction its collapsed centenary building.
The mission-owned school made the clarification in a statement signed by Dr Chijioke Ojji, Director of Operations, DMGS Centenary, in Awka on Monday.
It said the building plans approval was sought and obtained from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, which also carried out periodic inspections during its construction.
The school also said that materials used in the construction underwent rigorous quality assurance processes, including tests by the Anambra State Materials Testing Laboratory, in Awka.
It said that it was cooperating fully with the panel set up by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria to investigate why the building collapsed.
“In order to provide necessary assurance to the general public, we wish to state indisputable facts concerning the DMGS centenary building.
“All proper administrative and technical processes were scrupulously adhered to.
“The architectural design of the building was by a qualified and experienced architect, who is registered with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.
“The structural design of the building was by one of the foremost structural engineers in Nigeria,” the school said.
It added that the construction supervision was by an experienced structural engineer with over 30 years of experience while the technical foreman was a qualified engineer with relevant experience.
DMGS said that it was aware that the identification of the cause of the collapse of the building would be a complex and painstaking evidence-based exercise that would take time.
He cautioned against hasty conclusions.
He urged members of the public to patiently wait for verifiable and scientifically-sound conclusions on the cause of the collapse.
“It is therefore with incredulity that we receive various press reports containing hasty, false, malicious and completely unsubstantiated purported conclusions as to the cause.
“Our priority remains the safety of everyone: so, we share the public’s desire to know the truth and to prevent future accidents,” it said.
Meanwhile, the school has confirmed that one person died from the building collapse while two persons were rescued alive.
It condoled with the family of the deceased and gave assurance of its support in dealing with the loss. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
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