Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday paid a visit to the site of the collapsed building on Peter Odili Road, describing it as an unfortunate incident that could have been avoided.

Amid rescue operations, Fubara ordered the immediate closure of the site pending proper investigations.

He revealed that several efforts by the state regulatory authority to monitor the project to ensure conformity with standards were waved off.

"Our concerns were never about interference, but about safeguarding lives and ensuring adherence to construction regulations and standards.

"We are deeply touched by the loss of human lives, as such misfortune should not have occured in modern times when professional standards and safety measures are expected to guide construction activities.

"However, I commiserate with the families of the deceased and sympathise with those injured. I believe that the government will keep doing its best to mitigate future occurrences," Fubara said Ion X.