The diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion Onitsha, Anambra, on Tuesday, inaugurated a nine-person panel of inquiry to investigate the cause of the Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha Centenary building collapse.

Penultimate Tuesday, the five-storey building collapsed on the premises of DMGS on June 12, leaving one dead and two persons rescued.

Bishop Owen Nwakolo told journalists at the site of the building collapse that the committee was given nine terms of reference.

Mr Nwakolo noted that Justice Pete Ohioto headed the committee comprising architects and surveyors, while Andy Obiamwu would be secretary.

Other members are Ofodile Anieto, Chukwunonto Igboka, Peter Okpala, Shed Omwuasoanya, Azuka Onweluzo, Samuel Akabogu and Kingsley Ibekwe.

According to him, we expect your report within one month of June 18, the date the panel was inaugurated.

“You are therefore constituted as a panel of enquiry to investigate and determine the cause of the collapse of the building,” he said.

Mr Nwakolo listed the terms of reference, including examining the administrative and technical processes followed during the building to ensure proper procedures were followed, studying the building plans to ensure that they meet the expected standards, and enquiring whether approval was sought and obtained from the approving authority for the building to proceed.

He stressed that they were also to enquire whether the building’s architectural design was done by a qualified architect registered with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, among other bodies.

Alexander Ibezim, the archbishop of the Province of the Niger, bishop of Awka, thanked God that the situation was not worse.

(NAN)