TRAGEDY struck at Anata Anaba, Okpoko, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, when a woman and her 14-year-old daughter died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on their home.
News Point Nigeria reports that the tragic incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m., claiming the lives of the woman, identified as Happiness Ugoagu, and her daughter, Chikaima, who were reportedly asleep in their bedroom when the building came crashing down.
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The woman’s son, Chimobi Ugoagu, said he was outside the house while his siblings were in the sitting room when the building collapsed, resulting in the deaths of his mother and younger sister.
Chimobi alleged that residents had earlier warned the builder about the danger posed by the structure, but their appeals were ignored.
According to him, an engineer had also advised that the building should not exceed two storeys because the land was waterlogged, raising concerns about the suitability of the location for the construction.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, visited the scene and described the incident as unfortunate.
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Ojukwu alleged that substandard materials had been used in the construction of the building, raising further concerns about compliance with building standards and safety regulations.
The commissioner disclosed that a stop-work notice had previously been issued on the building, which he described as illegal. He subsequently ordered its demolition, alongside other unapproved buildings under construction in the area.
The Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Nnamdi Ifejika, also expressed sadness over the deaths and commiserated with the bereaved family following the tragic loss.
“This is a very painful and heartbreaking moment for us as a people. We cannot begin to imagine the pain of losing a mother and her daughter in such a tragic circumstance,” he said.
Ifejika urged residents to report concerns about unsafe buildings before they result in tragedy, stressing the need to prioritise public safety in the community.
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He also directed that the situation be closely monitored and called on the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
The council chairman assured the bereaved family and the Okpoko community of the local government’s support, while urging residents to cooperate with emergency personnel and other authorities as efforts continue to address the situation.