From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Anambra State Government has sealed the site of the collapsed building at Oko in Orumba North LGA of the State, reaffirming its commitment to stricter enforcement of physical planning regulations and the elimination of unsafe construction practices.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings indicated structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse and announced the immediate closure of the site pending comprehensive investigations and structural integrity assessments.
Ojukwu stated that the incident would mark a turning point in the enforcement of building regulations across the state, warning that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures would face sanctions, while ongoing projects would undergo stricter inspections.
The Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, said technical investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse, adding that a team of professionals had been engaged to carry out a comprehensive structural evaluation.
Ezeobi assured residents that recommendations from the investigation would be implemented to strengthen the state’s building control system, prevent future occurrences, and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said medical personnel and ambulances were immediately deployed to the scene to provide emergency care for the injured, while the Ministry of Health worked closely with other emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.
Obidike commended the swift and coordinated response of the Anambra State Government and emergency agencies, describing it as crucial to the rescue efforts and timely medical treatment of victims.
The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Rtd. Cpt. Casmir Nwafor, praised the rapid intervention of the state government and emergency responders, noting that their coordinated efforts helped contain the situation and minimize further risks.
Nwafor urged developers, property owners, institutions, and residents to comply strictly with approved building regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the local government’s support for the enforcement of physical planning laws.
An Eye witness, Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba said the building, reportedly occupied by students of Federal Polytechnic Oko, collapsed on Sunday at about 10:00 p.m. after occupants heard cracking sounds and evacuated.
Also present during the inspection were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headed by the Enugu State Head of Operations, Mrs. Priscilla Mbaekwe, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Anambra State Fire Service, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
As of the time of filing this report, one fatality had been confirmed, while three injured victims were receiving treatment at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) and St. Michael’s Hospital, Oko, as rescue operations continued.
