By Austin Ogwuda & Sunny David
NO fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead while several are trapped following the collapse of a building under construction at popular Ochanja market Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria.
The sad incident occurred on Monday evening.Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) while confirming the death six persons, so far, said that over 20 others have been rescued with life threatening injuries.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo who raced to the scene was visibly angry and vowed to ensure that the developer involved in the construction of the building and every other person connected with the shoddy job that led to the collapse risk jail as they must be brought to face trial.
While describing the incident as tragic lamented that “it is not supposed to happen. The contractor at his own cost will come and put down the illegal buildings he erected here.
“They are all going to come down. My government did not approve of this building. We will redesign this area and build it properly”.
The governor further warned that other buildings constructed without proper approval will be demolished, including structures currently under construction at other markets and various places.
“A comprehensive inventory of buildings in Anambra markets and public places”, he went on, “will be conducted.“Markets will undergo integrity tests to identify and remove potentially unsafe structures and individuals found responsible for illegal construction will face legal consequences”, the governor stated.
