10/06/2026
Collapsed Two-Storey Church Building in Benin City Sealed for Demolition as Edo Government Intensifies Enforcement of Building Regulations
The Edo State Government has sealed a collapsed two-storey church building in Benin City for demolition, reiterating its commitment to strict enforcement of building regulations and compliance with approved construction standards.
The Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae, issued a warning to developers against the use of substandard building materials, stressing that such practices endanger lives and property and could result in devastating losses.
Barr. Uwadiae gave the warning during an on-the-spot assessment of the collapsed building belonging to Saviour Apostolic God Mission, located on Palace Road, off Ogheghe Upper Siluko Road, Benin City. The structure reportedly collapsed on Saturday evening shortly after a church service.
Expressing gratitude that no lives were lost in the incident, the Commissioner stated that Governor Monday Okpebholo had directed relevant authorities to immediately assess the extent of the damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
He disclosed that preliminary findings revealed that the property lacked an approved building plan, contrary to the provisions of the state's physical planning regulations.
According to the Commissioner, the assessment further indicated that substandard materials were used during construction, contributing significantly to the building failure.
“From our assessment, it has been established that substandard materials were used in the construction of the building, which ultimately led to its collapse. Furthermore, the architect and engineer responsible for the project are nowhere to be found,” he stated.
Barr. Uwadiae assured residents that the state government remains committed to ensuring that Edo State remains safe, orderly, and habitable. He also noted that owners of existing structures are encouraged to regularize their buildings, adding that approvals for old structures can currently be obtained without penalties.
The Commissioner urged prospective developers to obtain the necessary approvals from the Ministry and ensure proper professional supervision of their projects to prevent future occurrences.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, Hon. Darlington Igabali Imoisili, warned developers against embarking on construction or renovation projects without obtaining the required approvals from relevant authorities.
He announced that the collapsed building had been sealed and marked for complete demolition, emphasizing that the owner would face prosecution despite the absence of casualties.
According to him, investigations revealed that the developer initially applied for approval to construct a single-storey building but proceeded to erect a two-storey structure without authorization.
Hon. Igabali further disclosed that several stop-work notices had been issued to the developer, but these directives were ignored.
“The developer approached the Agency for approval but was advised not to proceed because the proposed design did not meet the required building standards. However, he ignored the directive and continued construction. The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has zero tolerance for non-compliance with building regulations,” he stated.
The Edo State Government reaffirmed its determination to strengthen monitoring, enforcement, and regulatory compliance across the state to prevent building collapses and safeguard the lives and property of residents.
