Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
It was a tragic as three persons have been confirmed dead after a storey-building collapsed in Egbu Umuenem, Otolo Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State.
The victims include a builder identified as Chizoba Aniefuna and his two sons who were said to be working with him.
The structure was reportedly under construction when it collapsed.
It was gathered that a relative of the builder, was trapped in the building but was later rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital.
When newsmen arrived the scene, manual labourers were seen on rescue mission as the excavator brought to rescue the victims broke down at the site.
Addressing reporters shortly after the dead bodies were exhumed from the debris, State Chairman of Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Victor Meju, blamed the cause of the incident on use of substandard materials and non-approval from relevant regulatory authorities.
He announced seal-off of the site, while the owner of the building, Chukwunafu Anamanjo will be invited for questioning to aid investigation.
“Poor foundation, poor concrete mixture, poor quality of materials, poor wearing cost capacity, non-conformity to standard, non-approval from relevant regulatory authorities led to the avoidable tragedy,” he said.
Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North LGA, Engr. Obiora, stressed on the need for certified Engineers and other relevant personnel in the building sector, as well as monitoring teams to be consulted to ensure strict compliance to standards.
On his part, Sectoral Head of COREN in-charge of Nnewi and environs, Engr. Arinze Okwuosa, said his team observed several shortcomings in the course of carrying out the work, calling for government intervention to forestall any future occurrence.
