A two-story building under construction at No. 20 Ozuitem Street, Umuahia, Abia State, collapsed on Christmas Day, fortunately sparing workers who were off duty for the holiday.
The building, reportedly owned by a wealthy resident of Umuahia, came down under unclear circumstances. However, nearby residents suspect that the use of substandard materials by the contractor may have compromised the structure’s integrity.
An anonymous resident expressed relief that the collapse occurred when no workers were on-site, stating, “Yesterday was Christmas Day, and there was no work. If not, who knows what would have happened?”
The contractor is said to have fled the scene after the collapse, likely to avoid arrest or questioning.
By Thursday afternoon, heavy machinery was demolishing the remaining portions of the building to prevent further risks to neighbouring structures. Notices from the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), dated December 26, 2024, declared the site sealed off.
Mrs Nkeiru Ogba, Public Relations Officer for the UCDA, confirmed that officials had inspected the site. She attributed building collapses in the state to developers failing to comply with regulations or follow due process.
