Many trapped under collapsed building in Onitsha market

 

Maduako Igbokwe I Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024

 

ONITSHA, Anambra – Unconfirmed number of people are currently trapped under a collapsed two storey building at Ochanja Market area of the Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State.

This incident happened at about 6 pm on Monday when traders were about to leave the market. The Secretary of the Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State Mr Paul Onuachalla who confirmed the incident said many people are still trapped under the building.

According to him,those around the building said there was noise around the building in the evening and after some time it collapsed. He said the council is still trying to know the actual number of people trapped in the building.

Onuachalla also disclosed that the Council has set up a seven man Committee of Enquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of Monday evening building collapse in the Ochanja market.

The Committee is set following the suspicion of sabotage on the part of some traders in the council. Onuachalla said the committee would be made up of a police personnel, a building engineer and other relevant professionals in the building industry.

He said that despite what has happened, the council will continue to enforce the law and building Code guiding the construction of permanent structures in the area.

“We want to first of all sympathize with the victims of the building collapse yesterday and, as I speak with you the Onitsha South local government Emergency Management Agency is working hand in gloves with the Anambra State Fire Service and the Health Department to ensure safe rescue of victims and provide medical assistance ”

“This incident is simply an act of sabotage on the part of some traders who instead of following the due process and building code they chose to compromise the law and undertake the project themselves”

“The Council is setting up a seven man Committee of Enquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the building Collapse and the Committee membership would include a police personnel, a building engineer and other relevant bodies in the sector.

“But this also goes to vindicate the Onitsha South local government Council about our strict compliance with the Building Code and other relevant laws guiding the construction of permanent structures in the area ”

“We as a government have made spirited efforts to ensure that the rules of Building Codes are respected but some sections of the public see it as a witch hunt, this time no defaulter would be spared ” he added.