3 storey building collapses in Anambra community, as govt seals premises

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

A three storey building still under construction at Umuoma Village, Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area,  Anambra State, had at about 4pm in the evening of yesterday collapsed but no life was lost, according to imppecable inside sources.

Explaining further the sources disclosed that in the morning of the fateful day, prior to the collapse, more than 50 workers were seen, busy working on the building said to be meant for hotel business. 

“We saw the shape of the building and type of iron rode used and concluded that the materials used in erecting the said hotel project were fake.

“True to our prediction, hours after, at about 4pm, it collapsed from the top floor but luckily among the workers nobody was trapped. We blame the contractor handling  the project because a lot of money has been wasted,” they lamented.

When our correspondent visited the scene, it was seen sealed by the state Urban planning Authority even as  some of the workers were packing their luggage out of the premises.

A passerby who pleaded anonymity said that the speed at which the building was being erected may have also contributed to its unexpected collapse stating that the materials used were not given enough time to solidify.

“How can you be putting blocks on top of the ones that have not dried and you know also that the iron rodes you are using are inferior and not meant for storey buildings like this.

“I am happy with the immediate seal of the premises because what it means is that for now the compound belongs to the state government. If someone would have been trapped the owner would feel unconcerned as his worry would be on the collapsed building,” he stated