An uncompleted two storey building belonging to Bethsaida Bible Church yesterday collapsed at 33 area of Onitsha killing an only son , injuring six others.
Anambra state commissioner for Housing , Lawrence Chinwuba and his counterpart on Committee to prevent further Collapse of buildings in Anambra state , Peter Okpalaeke with his committee members have visited the site. A worker at the site Promise Nwankwo said the construction was ongoing at the time of the collapse and trapped many of them inside but they sneaked out with injuries while a boy who was an only son working with them was not fortunate enough. He said they heard a collapsing like sounds and noise and came down to find out what the noise was all about before the collapse and they were trapped.
Chinwuba and Okpalaeke said the building collapse must stop in Anambra, noting that already 8 buildings have collapsed since the committee was set up and vowed to ensure no more buildings collapse in the state as all structures must conform to rules guiding building in the state.
Details of the site analysis would be brought to you shortly
Meanwhile, the government of Anambra state has banned the construction of five-story buildings in the state.
The state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, announced the ban when he visited the site of a collapsed 5-storey building on Udi street, Fegge area of Onistha south local government.
Obiano said government action was to check recklessness and the use of substandard building materials by contractors. No death was recorded as one person was reported injured at the building which is nearing completion.
Some weeks ago, a new building near St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Onitsha collapsed and four people died.
Obiano warned contractors in the state against the use of substandard building materials, pointing that henceforth anyone who constructs a building above two- storey in any part of the state without approval from the appropriate quarter will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
