Tragedy at the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic Oko Anambra State
Tragedy yesterday struck at the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic Oko when a three-storey building under construction sank into the ground allegedly trapping seven workers.The building, which was at the roofing level but has not been roofed, caved in yesterday about 3 pm after a heavy down pour. The survivor, who gave the information was rushed to an unknown hospital due to heavy shock.
Speaking to the Newsmen that the scene of the collapse, a community Leader in Oko, Mr Ernest Nwosu, said the building was a private house but located at the permanent site of the polytechnic.
He gave the name of the site location as Ndiagu village Oko even as he added that the owner of the building is from Ndiowu, also in Orumba North Local Government Area.
The Chairman of the council, Chief Okey Enekwe, when contacted, confirmed the collapse but said eye-witness insisted nobody died, adding that it was a terrible scene to behold.
Enekwe blamed the collapse on shoddy job and using of inferior and low quality materials not meant for building a storey building for the construction.
“The quality of the work is poor and the rods are not enough to carry three storey-building. The rods were not properly arranged as they were using 12 mm and other lower rods for that building even though I saw 15mm”
“I am not sure structural test as advocated by Governor Willie Obiano was done at the site probably because of its location but we have directed the owner of the building and the Engineer to be at the Ajalli police station by 8 am for further questioning and briefing”
Police Public Relations officer, Ali Okechukwu could not be reached for comment as at the time of writing this report.