By Tony Okafor, Awka
In a significant development, two independent investigation panels set up by the Anambra State Government and the Niger Diocese have exonerated the management of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) of any blame in the collapse of the school’s centenary building.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Sir Oselloka Offoh, Director Communications of the Niger Diocese, in Onitsha, Anambra State, the investigation panels established that the likely cause of the collapse was foundation failure due to poor soil conditions that could not have been foreseen by the engineers or statutory inspection.
The panels’ reports revealed that all administrative and technical procedures were followed in the construction of the DMGS Centenary Building.
The architectural and structural designs of the building were carried out by qualified professionals registered with their respective regulatory bodies in Nigeria.
Soil testing was conducted before the structural design and construction, and approval was received from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board. The steel rods used in the construction underwent proper quality assurance testing at the Anambra State Materials Testing Laboratory, Awka.
The construction was inspected at appropriate intervals by mandated regulatory authorities and deemed satisfied at the end thereof. At no point during the construction stage was any negative query raised, nor work stoppage order issued to effect any remedial corrections.
Post-disaster forensic testing confirmed that the quality of the steel rods and concrete castings met the expected standards. The panels’ findings cleared the school management of any wrongdoing, attributing the collapse solely to unforeseen poor soil conditions.
The Bishop of Niger Diocese, Most Reverend Owen Nwokolo, expressed gratitude to the two panels for their sacrifice and diligence in carrying out their tasks. He remains hopeful that DMGS will rise above this tragedy and, with the support of old boys, continue efforts to create a lasting legacy for the centenary celebration.
In light of the panels’ recommendations, Bishop Nwokolo directed the DMGS Centenary Committee to recommence the project, taking necessary steps in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the two panels on the use of a raft foundation.
