Owner of the building that collapsed in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital on April 1, 2022, Mr Uche Obi, has alleged that suspected chemical components were deliberately poured on the pillars to weaken them.


It would be recalled that a laborer was killed in the building collapse that also left so many others injured.


Obi while sympathizing with families of victims of the incident on Tuesday alleged there were signs of chemical notice suspected to be deliberately carried out against the 68 pillars property that was just at the first floor cast level.


The millionaire businessman in a press briefing in Jalingo demand an independent investigation into matter by certified agencies of government.




“We have noticed signs of suspected chemical components that we believe was deliberately poured on the pillars to weaken them to eventually collapse.


“We want an independent investigation into this matter by certified agencies of government.



 

“The allegations that we used substandard materials on the site by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is not true.


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“You may wish to note that I have dragged SON to court since last year when the agency sealed off my business premises along Hammaruwa Way here in Jalingo for accusing me wrongly of selling substandard materials.



“I want to categorically state here that SON is biased and what they are doing by labelling the materials they have not subjected to laboratory investigation or test as substandard amounted to premeditated action and defamation of character.


“To put the records straight, I, Uche Obi do not manufacture building materials but I buy from the open market and with manufacturers the same way other dealers do.


“The state government is claiming that due process were not followed before racing up the structure, but I want to tell you that the claim is not true.


“How would a building of such magnitude that is in a public space go up to that level without the knowledge of the appropriate authorities?



“How powerful am I that my structure will ignore all quit notices and the appropriate authorities will allow it from the foundation to the level it was before it suddenly came down?” Uche Obi claimed.