By Deboy Oti, Awka
The President-general of Awka South Markets Amalgamated Traders Union (ASMATU), Comrade Anayo Nweke has alleged sabotage in the toilet facility which collapsed at Eke Oyibo Market, Amawbia,by 12.30pm of Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Nweke who spoke to newsmen after assessment of the extent of damage dismissed the claim that the project was a two-storey building, but a suspended toilet facility with staircase.
He thanked the members of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Red Cross, traders and passers-by for the timely intervention and rescue operation.
According to him, the suspicious collapse, coming on the heels of endless leadership crisis and unhealthy rivalry in the quotation for the contract award would be looked into by investigation panel.
The ASMATU boss said he had set up a seven-man panel headed by Chief Uba Anetoh, a Town Planner to examine the remote and immediate cause(s) of the collapse of the building.
The Panel has one-week within which to conclude and submit it’s report.
When contacted on phone, the Financier- Contractor handling the collapsed toilet facility,
Engineer Arinze Anyadiegwu said he was on his way back to Awka from Lagos where he got the information, debunking alleged poor engineering work.
Anyadiegwu said: “We’ve been using solid and strong materials and all the rods are of standard quality, sand and stone irrespective of the fact that the roads used are 16 mm measurement. All rods we used are 16 mm used to erect storey budding irrespective of the fact that the roof is casted as well.”.
According to him, “I want to.make it clear that it is a pure sabotage. You won’t believe, we’ve 28 to 30 solid pillars with up to five feet deep from the ground to ensure well-fortification of the project. I have over 100 shops at that Amawbia Market and none had a problem.
The situation that happened is not out of mismanaged structure.”
According to him, he had fierce and unhealthy competitors who bidded for the award of the contract, allegeding foul play.
Meanwhile, the Police in a statement.made available to newsmen yesterday, pointed out that the State Command responded and rescued two victims. It was gathered that three persons including a carpenter at the site were rescued alive while a female voice from the rubbles was heard crying out in anguish. Later two victims, one allegedly a Civil Defence official were confirmed dead.
A press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) to newsmen, a copy of which was made available to the press reads: In response to a distress call today at about 12.40pm of a building collapse at Eke Oyibo Market, Amawbia, Police Operatives at operations to rescue police responded today 4/7/2024 at about 12:40 pm of a building collapse at Ekeoyibo market, Amawbia, Police Operatives of Anambra state command have rescued two victims and taken them to the hospital for medical care.
“Meanwhile, on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer,
Anambra State Police Command.
Awka stated that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led operatives at the scene for on-the-spot assessment, the area has been cordoned off and rescue Operations are still ongoing.,” the statement added.
Investigations revealed that some unknown people pulled off many of the bamboos supporting the first floor ,when it’s not yet 21 days even as it’s alleged that a chemical was poured on the foundation of the building to weaken it as a sabotage.
