People were left in serious shock after a three and four storey building collapsed in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo state.
The scene of the building collapse
There was pandemonium at Ulakwo Junction in the Owerri North Local Government Area along the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Road in Imo State when a four storey and three storey buildings under constructions collapsed.
Although it is not clear if lives were lost in the incident, eyewitnesses said poor quality of work carried out by the site engineers is to blame.
Punch reported that people at the scene of the incident revealed that they heard a loud noise on rushing out, they saw that the four storey building which was under construction but had been roofed had collapsed.
The state chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr Emeka Ugoanyawu who confirmed two out of the three collapses told our correspondent on the phone that investigations carried out by his organisation revealed that the incidences occurred as a result of the involvement of non-professional Engineers.
An incensed Ugoanyawu disclosed that the visits to the scenes showed that apart from the owners engaging the services of non-professional engineers, it was discovered that works were poorly done.
“Apart from the over N75m which had been lost as a result of the collapsed buildings, we equally suspect that people are trapped. We cannot ascertain the casualty figures because the police had yet to start rescue mission. We, therefore, advise people to state engaging professionals and professional counsels.“ Ugoanyawu summed up.
The Police spokesperson, Andrew Enwerem, had yet to be reached as of the time of filing this report.