The Rivers State Government has warned residents to leave old and distressed buildings after part of a two-storey building collapsed at No. 18 Club Road, Port Harcourt, on Friday night. No lives were lost in the incident.
The warning followed the partial collapse at about 9pm on 9 October 2026. A roof slab and an extension of the building’s front balcony fell.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 10 October, Boma Waribor, Press Secretary to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the government had begun inspecting old buildings to identify structures that could endanger residents.
Commissioner Amairigha Edward Hart gave the warning during an inspection of the affected building.
He said physical observations indicated that the structure was more than 50 years old and had exceeded its lifespan. He added that the building was unsafe for habitation.
The authorities have cordoned off the affected section and marked it “VACATE – UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.”
Government begins audit of old buildings
Hart said the ministry had started a proactive audit of old buildings in Diobu, Port Harcourt. The exercise will extend to other parts of the city.
According to the commissioner, the inspections will help officials identify distressed buildings and advise occupants to leave structures considered unsafe.
Where a building has not completely failed, the ministry may recommend major restoration work. However, officials may order demolition where necessary.
Hart urged residents to cooperate with the ministry by allowing officials to conduct integrity tests on buildings suspected of structural damage.
He also called on occupants to comply with demolition orders where authorities consider them necessary to prevent loss of lives.
The government’s warning follows the partial collapse of the building on Club Road, where part of the roof slab and front balcony extension fell without causing any reported deaths.
The ministry said its ongoing audit would cover other parts of Port Harcourt after the initial exercise in Diobu.
Residents are expected to cooperate with the authorities during inspections and follow official instructions on buildings found to be unsafe.
