A woman identified as Mrs. Happiness Ugoagu and her 14 year old daughter, Miss Chikaima Ugoagu, from Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have lost their lives following the collapse of a three-storey building at Anata Anaba area of Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.
The building, which was still under construction, collapsed at about 9:45 p.m. yesterday, trapping the mother and her daughter who were in their room at the time of the incident.
Residents who spoke to ABS said they had earlier raised concerns over the construction, stating that the land is waterlogged and unsuitable for a three-storey structure.
They said the engineer who initially commenced the project had advised the builder to stop at two storeys because of the condition of the ground, but the advice was not heeded.
The residents further stated that another engineer was later engaged to continue the construction to three storeys which unfortunately collapsed killing the landlady of a nearby bungalow and her last child.
The son of the deceased, Chimobi Ugoagu said three members of the family were in the apartment when the building collapsed.
He explained that he was outside at the time, while his other siblings were in the sitting room, but their mother and Chikiama were in their bedroom when the building collapsed directly on them, leaving them with no opportunity to escape.
Chimobi lamented that he had earlier warned the builder about the danger posed by the structure and joined other residents in calling for the construction to be stopped, but their concerns were not heeded.
Reacting to the incident, the Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, who visited the scene alongside the member representing Ogbaru One Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Noble Igwe, described the incident as unfortunate.
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