Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Built environment professionals have called for a comprehensive technical audit of the construction site of the new Gombe State House of Assembly Complex following the collapse of a section of its cantilevered entrance canopy, which claimed the life of one worker and left seven others injured. The incident occurred on Friday, 10 July 2026, during construction work on the multi-billion-naira project, sending shockwaves through the state and prompting immediate calls for accountability.
Speaking on the development, members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria stressed the need for an independent technical assessment of the project. Engr. Suleiman Abba, a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, said structural failures require professional assessment rather than speculation. He called for an independent review of the project to determine whether factors such as design errors, material quality, construction methods, workmanship, or supervision contributed to the incident. According to Abba, the outcome of the investigation should provide clear recommendations for corrective measures and strengthen safety practices within the construction sector.
Another engineering professional, Engr. Musa Achindo, noted that the collapse highlights the importance of strict adherence to approved engineering standards and regulatory requirements. He urged authorities to examine every stage of the project, including design approvals, construction procedures, quality control systems, and supervision processes, to identify possible shortcomings. Achindo said the incident should serve as a reminder of the need for stronger compliance with professional guidelines in order to protect workers and ensure the durability of public infrastructure.
Arc. Mustapha Adamu, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, recommended a multidisciplinary forensic investigation involving architects, structural engineers, builders, quantity surveyors, and other relevant professionals. He explained that collaboration among construction experts throughout the design and building phases is essential to maintaining structural safety and public confidence. "A detailed forensic audit of the collapsed section should be undertaken. Lessons learned from the investigation should be incorporated into future projects to improve quality assurance, risk management and public confidence in government infrastructure," Adamu insisted.
The Gombe State Government has since ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation, Danladi Adamu, the government confirmed that eight workers were involved in the collapse, with one fatality and seven others sustaining injuries. Five of the injured workers are receiving treatment at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, while two others are being managed at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and directed that all injured workers receive comprehensive medical care at the government's expense.
The government further directed the contractor handling the project and the supervising consultant to submit a formal incident report within 24 hours, to be followed by a preliminary investigation report and subsequently a comprehensive technical report with findings and recommendations. Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, who inspected the project site alongside senior government officials, said the government had opened the investigation to engineering experts and relevant professional bodies to establish the exact cause of the collapse and recommend appropriate corrective measures. "Unlike in some places where such incidents are concealed, Gombe has chosen the path of transparency by subjecting the structure to a comprehensive integrity test," the deputy governor said.
The site engineer and the contractor, BMC Multi Concept, which was awarded the contract in 2024, attributed the collapse to a failure that occurred during the concreting process and pledged to rectify the defect in line with professional engineering standards. The state government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring strict compliance with safety, quality and engineering standards in the execution of public infrastructure projects. As the investigation unfolds, the experts' call for a comprehensive forensic audit underscores the need for accountability and transparency in public construction projects, while the government's promise of a thorough investigation offers some reassurance to the public and the families of the victims.
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