Reason Onya resigned.
The Rivers State commissioner of Urban and Physical Planning – Dr Reason Onya stepped aside.
Some people said that he didn’t step aside because of the collapsed building but used the opportunity to run away from unprofitable Rivers State commission . Rivers State commissioners have no joy in Gov Wike administration as they have little or nothing to do. They cant help anyone, nor give job (even if it is clark), nor award contracts. Everything is done by the governor himself. More commissioners may resign sooner or later.
Below is Dr Reason Onya resignation statement. :
“My dear good people of Rivers State, after due consultation with my family on the collapsed seven story hotel building that was under construction at Plot 119, Woji Road, GRA Phase 2 PortHarcourt on Friday 23/11/2018, I decided to “step aside” as the Honourable Commissioner for Urban Development & Physical Planning on 28/11/2018 during the State Executive Council Meeting.
Historicism:
The building plan was approved on 18/7/2014 and revalidated by me on 14/9/2018 because the file was missing.
To those that lost their loved ones, I am pained, so pained that each time I visit the site my heart bleeds, each time, I hear news on it I am perturbed, thus, the decision of “stepping aside”.
I am sincerely sorry for all the pains you all have gone through in the cause of this that my official assignment is involved.
To His Excellency and the State Executive Council Members, I am extremely grateful for the acceptance and may the Good Lord guide our parts for better political economy and developmentalism of our beloved Rivers State nay Nigeria.” -Reason Onya Ph.D.
Meanwhile the death toll have increased to 22 and 7 were rescued alive on the collapsed building.