Gombe to enforce engineering council recommendations on collapsed Assembly complex

The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau

The Gombe State Government has pledged to fully implement the recommendations of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria on the collapse of the reinforced concrete cantilever entrance canopy at the ongoing State House of Assembly Complex.

The Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, made the commitment while receiving the COREN investigation report on behalf of the state government.

The report recommended the continuation of construction work under enhanced professional supervision and strict adherence to approved engineering standards.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Jack Tasha, Jatau said the government was not in a hurry to complete the project at the expense of quality and safety.

Jatau said the incident underscored the importance of quality, professional oversight and strict compliance with approved specifications in the execution of public infrastructure.

He said, “Government is not in a hurry. We want quality project execution, and we will carefully study the recommendations and implement them to their logical conclusion.”

The deputy governor assured the COREN panel that the contractor could continue with the project, but only under enhanced supervision and with the active engagement of qualified and registered professionals.

He commended the investigative panel for its assessment of the circumstances surrounding the collapse, saying the government attached great importance to the safety and welfare of citizens.

Jatau added that lessons from the incident would be used to strengthen quality control, supervision and compliance with building and engineering standards across the state.

Earlier, while presenting the report, the National Registrar of COREN, Okorie Austin Uche, said the collapse occurred on July 24, 2026, while fresh concrete was being placed on the canopy.

Uche said the panel, constituted following the incident, held extensive interactive sessions with professionals, contractors and other stakeholders connected to the project.

He said the committee also reviewed critical project documents and technical components, including working drawings, structural designs, reinforcement detailing, concrete test results, construction sequence, temporary formwork and propping arrangements.

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The registrar said the investigation established that while the consulting structural engineer was qualified, the contractor had failed to engage registered relevant professionals, including engineers and architects.

He, however, said tests conducted on the concrete and reinforcement showed that the standing structure was technically adequate.

“Based on our detailed assessment, the panel identified the erection of temporary formwork and the construction sequence as probable contributing factors to the collapse,” Uche said.

He explained that the temporary formwork constituted a critical component of the load-bearing system during concrete placement.

According to him, rather than placing the concrete progressively in stages, the canopy was cast at once, thereby placing substantial demands on the temporary support system.

The panel also established that although the structural design had been checked and sealed by the consulting structural engineer, the working drawings had not received approval from any relevant approval authority.

On the quality of materials used for the project, Uche said an evaluation of the submitted concrete test results showed adequate compressive strength, a finding further supported by integrity tests conducted on the standing structure.

He added that the quality and sizes of reinforcement bars found at the site were consistent with those specified in the structural drawings and were technically adequate.

Uche said the integrity test conducted after the collapse indicated that the standing structure was in good condition, adding that the state government could proceed with the project subject to the engagement of qualified professionals by the contractor and consultant, as well as stronger supervision.

He reaffirmed COREN’s commitment to regulating engineering practice in Nigeria and upholding professional standards and safety in engineering works.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the investigative panel, Isyaka Lawan, said the investigation took two months, largely because of the time required to evacuate the collapsed structure.

Lawan expressed hope that the report would prevent a recurrence and contribute to improved professional standards in the execution of public projects.