Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has ordered immediate evacuation and seal-off of the block of shops inside the Shopping Centre Market, Aba, Zone 13, which broke apart and caved in as traders were busy getting ready for the day’s business, Wednesday
Fortunately, there was no report of loss of lives or injury to traders and visitors to the market as those within promptly escaped when someone raised alarm of unusual cracks on the walls of the building.
The stretch of building housed about 15 shops inside the Shopping Centre Market, Aba, Zone 13.
Governor Otti, who commiserated with traders affected, and described the tragic incident as unfortunate and avoidable, adding that it was part of the rot of the past administration that the present government is trying to correct.
According to the governor, “Reports reaching me from traders in the market suggest that this tragic and unfortunate incident is as a result of greed by officials of the past administration.
“I understand that additional structures were erected on existing floors not minding the negative impact and structural defect such would have on the building.
“The consequence of that indiscretion is this avoidable tragedy of collapsed block of shops. We, however, thank God that there is no loss of life or injury to anyone”.
The Governor said he has dispatched the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu and the Senior Special Assistant on Aba Rejuvenation, Mr. Uche Ukeje, for an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
According to his Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko, Dr. Otti has ordered that an integrity test be conducted on all the other shops in the market to guard against a repeat of such occurrence.
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