Three Killed In Onitsha After Four-storey Building Collapse

Three people were feared killed yesterday in Onitsha,
Anambra State, when a four-storey building, under
construction, collapsed after an early morning
downpour.
The building, situated on No 24, Obanye Street in
Odoakpu, near Onitsha General Post Office, collapsed
at about 3:30pm. The collapsed building is said to be
valued at over N40 million.
It could not be confirmed yesterday if three people
died. An eye witness said nobody died as workers had
closed for the day when it happened. He said workers
were sighted at the building at about 8am.
A mechanic, Mr. Willy Chima, told our reporter that he
had his workshop on the land before it was sold for
the Attention of the four-storey building. Chima said
the building could have given way because the soil
had persistently been ravaged by flood.
He noted that the land should have been sand-filled
before the Attention of a structure of such magnitude.
At the scene of the incident in Obanye Street,
sympathisers were seen discussing in groups.
Sources said inferior materials could have been used
in the construction. Tiny iron rods were seen hanging-
out and the building appeared sunk below its
foundation.
A woman from Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government
Area, who allegedly owned the building and lives in
Abuja, was said to own another five-storey building,
which is almost completed at the back of the
collapsed structure.
The contractor handling the project was said to have
visited the site on hearing about the unfortunate
incident.
Another eyewitness, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said the builders and labourers did not
work due to a downpour, which started at about 6:30
a.m.
“We heard a heavy sound and as most of the
neighbourhoods in the street rushed out, we saw the
uncompleted building collapsing.
“It was a big surprise to all of us. We have noticed
recently that work in the building was going on at a
high speed.
“It is just a pity, what a huge financial loss. But thank
God, no one was working in the building today and no
one was injured in the incident,’’ he said.
A three-storey building undergoing construction at
Okofia–Umuenem, Otolo Nnewi in Nnewi North Local
Government Area also collapsed.
Work was going on when the building caved in,
trapping about seven workers. Although nobody died,
six were wounded, three critically. They were rushed to
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
and a private hospital.
Chief Christopher Akabogu, a businessman based in
Kano, is said to be the owner of the building. The
contractor was said to have used inferior materials.
President General of the Community, Mr Alphonsus
Amiebue said that the villagers mobilised to rescue
the victims but could not ascertain if some were
buried alive.