ANOTHER CHURCH BUILDING COLLAPSES IN EDO

A church building has collapsed at Asoro Slope, off Ekenwan Road in Benin, Edo State.

The incident happened barely two weeks after a church building collapsed in Uzama Street, Off Oliha Quartres, in the Egor Local Government Area, leaving one person dead and injuring no fewer than three others.

In the latest incident, the church auditorium, which belongs to the Liberty Power Bible Church Incorporated, was said to have collapsed around 1.30pm after a rainstorm on Sunday.

Although no life was reported lost, a residential building was, however, said to have been affected by the disaster.

Apostle Erue, and the collapsed church building

The owner of the church, identified as Apostle Moses Erue, was said to have returned a few hours after the collapse to salvage some of the church property.

According to our correspondent, it was gathered that the church auditorium may have collapsed due to the use of sub-standard building materials.

The owner of the residential building, Mr. Ajoh Silvanus, told our correspondent that he had warned the owner of the building many times about the quality of the materials being used for the construction of the church auditorium.

He lamented that the church owner was only concerned about the safety of the church speakers, rather than the damage done to his own building.

He also revealed that the owner of the church had been apprehended by the police.

Ajor said, “I have been complaining to the pastor of this church that the contractors were erecting the church like a fence without pillars.

“I complained to him several times, but he refused to listen until yesterday when the building collapsed and damaged many things.

“I thank God that it did not kill anyone because one of my younger ones narrowly escaped death.

“But when the pastor came around, he only concentrated on the speakers in the church.

“I waited for almost two hours, thinking that he would show concern for the damage done to my house. But he didn’t. So, I reported the matter to the police to intervene.”

When our correspondent contacted the church for comments, through a mobile phone number found on one of the banners on the church building, a man who picked up the call said, “Who are you? Don’t call this line again. I am busy.”

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Noble Uwoh, could, however, not be reached to confirm the incident, at the time of filing the report.

culled from Punch