By Pedro Ayobami
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A two-story building still under construction has collapsed at No. 20 Ozuitem Street, Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Christmas Day. Fortunately, the site workers had taken the day off, sparing their lives. The building, owned by a wealthy resident of Umuahia, is suspected to have collapsed due to the use of substandard materials, which compromised the structure’s integrity, according to nearby residents.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude that the workers were not present during the collapse. “Yesterday was Christmas Day, and there was no work. If not, who knows what would have happened?” he said. The contractor, however, has gone into hiding, allegedly to avoid arrest or questioning.
Upon visiting the site on Thursday afternoon, a bulldozer was seen demolishing the remaining parts of the building to prevent further collapse onto adjacent houses. The Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) has sealed the site, with messages posted around the area declaring the site closed as of December 26, 2024.
Mrs. Nkeiru Ogba, Public Relations Officer of the UCDA, confirmed that her office had visited the site to investigate the collapse. She noted that some building owners in the state have failed to follow due process or comply with official regulations, which may have contributed to the collapse.
The incident has raised concerns about the use of substandard materials and the importance of adhering to building regulations to ensure public safety.
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