Seven individuals suffered various degrees of injuries when a three-storey building under construction collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, near Olokoro Road, Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia State.
The incident, which took place around 3 a.m., also caused the destruction of a nearby bungalow occupied by a family of seven. Although no deaths were reported, several victims, including a nursing mother and her five-month-old baby, were extracted from the debris and taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical care.
Local residents noted that the building had long displayed signs of structural instability. “The building has been showing signs of collapse for too long. This morning we heard a loud sound around 3 a.m., and the building collapsed. I heard the building belongs to a politician; I don’t know why he abandoned it in that condition,” said Ugwumba Shedrack, a resident.
The General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Kingsley Agomoh, visited the site to evaluate the extent of the damage. He expressed relief that no lives were lost and confirmed that the premises of the collapsed structure had been sealed off.
Agomoh stated that the agency has initiated an investigation into the reasons behind the collapse and assured that the building’s owner would face appropriate penalties in line with legal regulations.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
