‎Anambra State Government has sealed the site of the collapsed three-storey Elite Five Star Lodge, Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area, which hitherto housed both students and non-students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in the sane area of the state citing structural defects. .

The building collapsed last Sunday about 10pm after seemingly buckling under heavily- sounding cracks.

The hostel, which until the collapse and alleged killing of one person, while injuring three persons who were moved to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) and St.

MEANWHILE, an
‎eye-witness, Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba confirmed that the building, collapsed at about 10:00 p.m. after occupants heard cracking sounds and evacuated. It was gathered that one survivor, Miss Chioma Akabike narrowly escaped moments before the collapse, while rescue operations commenced immediately.

‎ The sealing, yesterday. reaffirms the Stare government’s commitment to stricter measures in enforcement of physical planning regulations and the elimination of unsafe construction practices.
‎Announcing the sealing, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, a lawyer said preliminary findings indicated structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse and announced the immediate closure of the site pending comprehensive investigations and structural integrity assessments.
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‎Ojukwu further observed that the incident marks a turning point in the enforcement of building regulations across the state, warning that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures face sanctions. According to him, ongoing projects would undergo stricter inspections as a pro-active measure for achievement of safety standards
‎Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, hinted that technical investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse, stressing that a team of professionals had been engaged to carry out a comprehensive structural evaluation.
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‎Ezeobi assured residents that recommendations from the investigation would be implemented to strengthen the state’s building control system, prevent future occurrences, and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
‎Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said medical personnel and ambulances were promptly deployed to the scene of incident to provide emergency care for the injured, while the Ministry of Health worked closely with other emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.
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‎Obidike commended the swift and coordinated response of the Anambra State Government and emergency agencies, describing it as crucial to the rescue efforts and timely medical treatment of victims.
‎Contributing, ‎the Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Rtd. Cpt. Casmir Nwafor, praised the rapid intervention of the state government and emergency responders, noting that their coordinated efforts helped contain the situation and minimize further risks.
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‎Nwafor urged developers, property owners, institutions, and residents to comply strictly with approved building regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the local government’s support for the enforcement of physical planning laws.
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‎Also present during the inspection were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) headed by the Enugu State Head of Operations, Mrs. Priscilla Mbaekwe, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Anambra State Fire Service, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), who participated in rescue, security, and preliminary technical assessments.

CAPTION: Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development at the scene of collapsed Elite Five Star hostel building