Traders blame govt as three die in Onitsha building collapse

Three persons have reportedly been killed in a building collapse that occurred at a section of the Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The two-storey building was said to have caved in at 5:45 pm on Saturday as a result of the further erection of some structures on the already existing weak building.

However, a market leader, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, disclosed that it was a sad development as goods and property were also destroyed.

The source, who did not identify his name, said the unidentified victims were working at the site when the incident occurred.

He said, “Some builders were erecting some structures on an existing building without taking cognisance of the fact that the structure on the ground was already weak.”

Tribune Online gathered that some traders at the market had protested the attempt by market authorities to erect additional structures on the existing old and weak buildings in the area on Friday.

The traders during the protest on Friday in Onitsha and Awka called for the immediate suspension and arrest of those behind the act.

The marketers had also accused the leadership of the market of collaborating with some state government agents to construct shops on top of the weak buildings.

Some of the placards displayed by the protesting traders read: ”Save our lives now at Ochanja central market, governor Willie Obiano, we need your help now, Physical Planning Board why are you people keeping quit, Ochanja central market is not for sale, say no to illegal shops at Ochanja central market, illegal shops at Ochanja central market will collapse very soon, say no to deckings without foundation at Ochanja central market, among others.”

Efforts to speak with some other traders proved abortive as the incident forced them to scamper to safety as people were seen trying to salvage their goods so as to escape being trapped.

Efforts to speak with the police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, also proved abortive as he did not take his calls nor reply to text messages to his phone as of the time of filing this report.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…Traders blame govt  Traders blame govt

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…Traders blame govt  Traders blame govt