Reigners-church-collapsed-building
Collapsed Reigners Bible Church Building

The architect who designed the collapsed Reigners Bible Church auditorium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has said that he stands by his original design for the 5,000 seat capacity building which fell on December 10, 2016 and claimed over a hundred lives.

Arc. Abimbola Oke, who is also a lecturer in the University of Uyo, claims his original design was not strictly adhered to and cautioned the church’s General Overseer about the difference between the structure in place and his (the architect’s) concept.

The architect who currently faces a Commission of Inquiry in Uyo said : “Apostle Akan Weeks (General Overseer of Reigners Bible Church) asked me to design a round or diagonal 5,000 sitting capacity auditorium plan for him. After the design, I took it to him and he said it was all right. As regards altering the design, I did not redesign any part of the building. I stand by my original design which included the basement floor.

“The apostle later asked me if I could supervise the building, but the church’s building committee chairman reacted to it by saying that they were going to build their church by themselves. Afterwards, I visited Weeks at a certain point in time and told him that what was in the design was not implemented. I also informed him of the importance of adhering to the original design.”

Architect Oke who says he gave the design worth N11.5 million to the Church as a ‘gift’ also said he did so as an act of service to God.