ODSEMA Acts Swiftly as Orunko, Adebawo Lead Assessment of Building C0llapse in Akure
ODSEMA Acts Swiftly as Orunko, Adebawo Lead Assessment of Building Collapse in Akure
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Office of the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Frederick Orunko, and the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Emergency Response, Hon. (Prince) Wellington Oriade Adebawo, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, led a delegation to the scene of a collapsed storey building under construction at Adegbola, along Oyemekun Road, Akure.
The collapsed structure, which was still at the construction stage, caved in while construction workers and artisans were actively working on the site, prompting swift intervention by the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA).
Addressing journalists at the site, Mr. Frederick Orunko, whose office oversees ODSEMA, disclosed that no life was lost in the incident. He confirmed, however, that seven workers who were on duty at the time of the collapse sustained injuries and were swiftly evacuated to nearby hospital where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Preliminary findings, according to the Acting Permanent Secretary, suggest that the collapse may have been caused by the use of sub-standard construction materials and rushed, poorly executed construction processes, often associated with shoddy workmanship and disregard for approved building standards. He described the incident as preventable and announced that the construction site would be sealed immediately, while appropriate sanctions would be imposed on those responsible for the project, in line with extant building and safety regulations in the state.
Corroborating these findings, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency Response, Hon. (Prince) Wellington Oriade Adebawo, affirmed that evidence at the site pointed to inferior materials and accelerated construction practices as the likely causes of the collapse. He declared that requisite sanctions would be meted out to the building engineers and professionals involved, stressing that negligence in construction would not be tolerated by the Ondo State Government.
Hon. Adebawo further stated that his office would intensify the enforcement of safety standards and best practices across the construction sector in Ondo State, noting that this formed part of the objectives of recent operational engagements and understudy visits to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). He explained that lessons drawn from LASEMA’s operations would be adapted and fully implemented to strengthen emergency preparedness and preventive oversight in the state.
As part of the renewed safety drive, the Special Assistant revealed that regular quality assessments of buildings under construction would be carried out across Ondo State. He added that no construction worker would henceforth be allowed to operate on any site without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), emphasizing that the use of safety kits would be mandatory.
Also present at the scene was the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) of ODSEMA, Mr. Richard, who joined officials in coordinating safety and response measures.
The Director of the Ondo State Fire Service, Engr. Folorunso Samuel, and the Deputy Director of Operations, Ondo State Fire Service, Engr. Falanu Kehinde, were also present during the on-the-spot assessment of the collapsed building and participated in evaluating the structural failure and ensuring that the area was secured against further risks.
The officials reiterated the commitment of the Ondo State Government to protecting lives and property through strict regulation, proactive monitoring, and decisive enforcement of construction standards, assuring residents that concrete steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents across the state.
