One killed,many injured as another building collapses in Anambra

One person was killed and about 20 others sustained injuries when a three-storey building under construction collapsed at Eziora village, Adazi-Ani in Anaocha local council area of Anambra yesterday.

The building, jointly owned by Mr. Uche Okeke and his five siblings who are children of the transport magnet, Chief G.U. Okeke, was at the completion stage when it collapsed.

It was gathered that over 25 persons were working on the site when the incident occurred and at the time of filing this report, one person was still trapped under the rubble.

Okeke, who spoke to reporters said: “It is a sad thing and we are still confused over the incident because we awarded the contract over a year ago to a professional. We have spent millions of naira on the project and we were not in doubt that quality materials were used in the construction.

“One worker was still trapped and we immediately ordered for earth moving equipment from Onitsha to remove the rubbles to save his life.

“We reported to the Police immediately and they helped us in the rescue mission. Unfortunately, the man under the rubble died before he could be rescued.”

According to him, the body of the deceased had been deposited at St. Joseph’s Hospital mortuary at Adazi-Nnukwu.

One of the labourers, who identified himself as Mr. Olisa Obaze, said he broke his knee cap in an attempt to jump down from the three-storey building.

He said: “We were carrying blocks upstairs when we suddenly heard a large crack sound. We scampered for safety and I had to jump from the three-storey building. After the incident, we started calling on our members and realized that one man was still under the debris.”

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Uchenna Ezeh said that full investigation into the matter has begun.
Many buildings have collapsed because of lack of proper supervision of the construction process by unqualified and inexperienced building managers. How do you think this can be minimized or stopped?