Cracked 2 storey Building in Onitsha: Residents Blame ASUDEB of Complicity In building collapse

Unless something is done urgently the building occupied by over 39 traders at No.39 Iweka road, Onitsha Anambra state, a two –storey building which is seriously cracking may collapse reports Odogwu Blog exclusively. The building is old and debilitated.

Sequel to inaction of the Anambra State Urban Development Board, ASUDEB, on locating such buildings for controlled demolition before lives are lost when it collapses and following the collapse of not less than 7 buildings in Onitsha and environs in the recent time ASUCEB has come under barrage of criticisms by the residents in Anamabra state who accused them of being behind the collapse of numerous buildings in the state due to covetousness and quest for ill gotten and fast money.

Residents said had the Board done its work as stipulated by the edit and extant laws establishing it , buildings would not be collapsing daily in the state accusing them of only being interested in money making and not the safety of the lives of the people.

Leading the pack is , former chairman of Onitsha Bridge head market, Chief Robert Ozigbo who said, “ASUDEB are supposed to be at the site right from when the foundation is started to completion” to ensure that quality materials are provided”.

“The problem is that because they are interested in making money that is why some buildings are death-traps”, he said.

“Okay, look at what is happening at No.39 Iweka road now, the two –storey building there is seriously cracking. The building has worn out and the roof blown off because the building is old, and ASUDEB passes there on daily basis without  ordering the traders who do business in such a building that is waiting to collapse to relocate to other places”.

“It is not only to inspect the construction of new buildings but also to mark for demolition such cracking old building that has worn out as a result of rainfall and sunshine over the years that include No.39 Iweka road were only one person lives in the first floor at his own risk”.

“There should be quality raw materials from the DPC level to completion to avoid collapse or cracking of any sort”.

Contributing, a community leader in Umuchu, Aguata local government area, Chief Peter Osigwe-Onwa, regretted that about five bags of cement are used for one trip of sand and then turn them together for construction against all known rules of construction yet ASUDEB does nothing.

“The worst is that the owner of the building does not even care to know what is happening”.

“ASUDEB is supposed to have its men on ground who will be supervising the construction work to ensure quality materials”, he said.

“What they are after is to come and collect money from the owner and does not care about the nature of materials put in place, over seven buildings have collapsed in the recent time in Onitsha and environs”.

“The Governor should call them to order now to avoid blaming them in any other future collapse of building”.

Also Contributing, a building contractor who simply identified himself as Okeke, said that ASUDEB should be over hauled for efficiency hinting that most of the war-torn buildings during the civil war pose as danger to the residents.

He said, “the ASUDEB people will rather encourage owners of such building to just do little renovation instead of demolishing it to start off again”.

“I was told that over 30 traders do their business in that 39 Iweka road Onitsha but one person who they said lives there wants to play with his life  and ASUDEB is not doing anything”, he stated.