NITP Seeks Urgent Urban Renewal After Building Collapse On Club Road, Port Harcourt
The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Tamunoikuronibo Dawaye Ikiriko, has called on the Rivers State Government to accelerate urban renewal in Port Harcourt following the partial collapse of a building on Club Road.
Dr. Ikiriko made the call during an assessment of the affected structure at No. 18 Club Road, Old Port Harcourt Township, after a section of the building collapsed at about 9 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026.
He said the incident was not a total structural failure but involved the collapse of the cantilever section – the projected front balcony and a roof slab.
The town planner blamed the incident on ageing building materials, prolonged water leakages and poor maintenance, noting that some buildings in the Old Township have stood for over 70 years.
“This is not actually a major structural failure of the building. You can see sections of the building, like the cantilever section, which has fallen, and the reason is simple: these materials have stayed for a long period of time,” Ikiriko said.
He noted that visible cracks and water stains on the building showed signs of long-term deterioration, adding that roof leakages could accelerate structural decay.
Ikiriko called for a comprehensive urban renewal programme, where ageing buildings in Port Harcourt, particularly in Diobu and the Old Township, would be subjected to structural integrity tests and professional assessment to determine their safety.
He urged the state government to designate the area as a priority zone for urban renewal, saying neighbouring buildings also showed visible signs of distress.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has cordoned off the affected building and marked it “VACATE – UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION” pending further investigation.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sir Amairigha Edward Hart, who inspected the scene on Saturday, October 10, said the building, which is over 50 years old, had exceeded its serviceable lifespan and was unsafe for habitation.
Hart, who thanked God that no life was lost, said the ministry has commenced a proactive audit of old buildings in the state, starting from Diobu and extending to other parts of Port Harcourt, to identify distressed structures and advise occupants to vacate.
He said where a building has not completely failed, major restoration work may be recommended, but demolition would be ordered where necessary.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society also visited the scene.
While police and some eyewitnesses said five persons sustained injuries, the NITP chairman put the figure at two persons who were taken to hospital for treatment. No death was recorded.
Hart urged residents to cooperate with ministry officials during integrity tests and to comply with vacate or demolition orders to prevent loss of lives.
