…Government identifies structural failure, reaffirms strict enforcement of physical planning regulations, building codes

Survivors of the three-storey building which last Sunday collapsed in Amaokpala, a neighboring community of Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, have narrated the many hours ordeal in the incident, but thank God for safety in a moment of hopelessness.

However, the Anambra State Government, has identified structural failure as the likely cause of the incident, based on preliminary assessments.

Patrick Ejikeme, one of the survivors in the ugly experience while narrating his ordeal in the incident said: “I had already sent a message to my wife, asking her to take care of herself and my children if I didn’t make it.

“I thank God for giving me a second chance. I’m extremely grateful to Him for sparing my life. Every other thing lost is man-made, and I believe the same God that spared my life will help me to bounce back and achieve much more than were trapped in the rubble,” he added.

Known as Elite Five Star Lodge, the building, containing about 60 rooms, had caved in the night of last Sunday, claiming two lives and leaving some of its occupants trapped for hours.

The 38-year-old transporter and native of Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state was one of the three survivors.

Ejikeme, who claimed to have lived in the facility for about two years, said the structure came across as a solid one, which was the reason he chose to move into it.

He admitted that he actually observed some cracks at the back of the building, but he dismissed it as a minor defect because he lived in the front part.

He recalled that on that fateful Sunday night, he had returned from work, had a bath and lay down to rest.

“Meanwhile, I had picked my phone. In a split second, the building started falling. I immediately saw myself on the floor as the rubble landed on me.

“A pillar at the balcony was the one holding the blocks from falling on me, though they fell very close to my head.

“But to God’s glory, my phone was still with me while still lying on the floor. It was the same phone I used to make calls. Thankfully, there was still network inside the rubble.

“I dialled several numbers, including that of my wife which didn’t connect. I had to send her a message telling her to take care of herself and my children in case I didn’t make it. For almost four hours, I was inside there gasping for breath.

“As the rescue team kept digging, I kept praying that God’s will be done. Suddenly, I saw a glimpse of light and that brought me a little hope.

“I asked them to off their lights so they could use my phone light to trace me. That was how they used the light to locate me.

“Through that little opening, they dragged me from the head and took me to the hospital.

“When they caught a glimpse of my phone light, they intensifed efforts until they created a hole that could enable them to drag me out head first.”

He recalled that at the hospital, the nurse on call gave him an injection and some tablets.

“I was later placed on drip till morning when the doctor came. I told him I was okay, but he still examined and discharged me after my bills were settled.”

Asked whether any quit notice was served the occupants before the building collapsed, Ejikeme denied receiving any notice, saying: “There was no quit notice. If there was, why would someone risk losing his/her life by insisting on remaining there?

Ejikeme was full of gratitude to God for giving him a second chance.

He said: “Before I came back from the hospital, they had retrieved three bodies from the rubble. What if I was also dead. I would not be here narrating my ordeal.

“I am extremely grateful to God for sparing my life. Every other thing lost is man-made. I believe the same God that spared my life, will help me bounce back and achieve much more than were trapped under the rubble.

“Yet, if any help comes from government or good spirited individuals, it will be greatly appreciated.

Dim Chike Emmanuel, another survivor, who was discharged alongside Ejikeme, also attributed his miraculous escape from the incident as divinely orchestrated.

He recalled that he was eating with his roommate when they heard the noise of other occupants rushing out of the building and had to join them.

He said: “My friend who ran ahead of me did not sustain any injury. I was, however, unlucky to have been trapped. But, thank God, I survived as I was rescued.”

Kester Okpala, Medical Director of St Michael Hospital where the injured were rushed to, said the victims sustained minor injuries.

Some students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko residing in the collapsed building accused the landlord and caretaker of negligence. Speaking via voice messages, the students said there were signs all over the building indicating that it was not healthy and might cave in, but they were ignored.

The Public Relations Officer, , Dr.

Oguegbu Celestine Udoka, the
Federal Polytechnic, Oko Public Relations Officer confirmed that two persons earlier reported trapped beneath the rubble were eventually recovered and confirmed dead.

He reiterated that no student of the polytechnic sustained any injury or lost his or her life in the unfortunate incident, just as he assured of close monitoring of developments as well as continued provision of timely and accurate updates as more verified information were made available.

Udoka said: “The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, reiterates that no student of the polytechnic sustained any injury or lost his or her life in the unfortunate incident.

“The Polytechnic deeply sympathises with the families of the deceased and prays that God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear this painful loss.

“The institution also wishes the injured persons speedy and full recovery.”

While restating the institution’s commitment to the safety and welfare of its students, Oguegbu advised the public and the media to rely only on official and verified information and to refrain from spreading unconfirmed reports capable of causing unnecessary panic.

Meanwhile the state government has since sealed the site of the collapsed structure pending full and thorough investigation.

Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu,  Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, identified structural failure as the likely cause of the incident, based on preliminary assessments; a fact he said was known to the owners and management of the building who he said decided to place monetary gains over and above the safety of the lives of the occupants.

Ojukwu said: “A comprehensive technical investigation and structural integrity assessment are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collapse, and the state government has also received actionable intelligence regarding other potentially distressed buildings in the same area.

“The ministry shall conduct a compulsory review and structural integrity tests on all buildings within the proximity of the collapsed building.

“The state government shall take decisive steps inclusive of the revocation of the right of occupancy of the parcel of land housing the building and the prosecution of anyone whose action or inaction may have contributed to the unfortunate incident.”

Ojukwu Reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strict enforcement of physical planning regulations, building codes and safety standards across the state