Construction worker killed with 2 sons in building collapse in Nnewi

In a devastating incident in Nnewi community of Egbu Umuenem, in Otolo Nnewi in the early hours of Sunday, September 3, 2023, a three-story building under construction collapsed, claiming the lives of a builder identified as Chizoba Aniefuna and his two sons.

The ill-fated incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m., just as workers were preparing to commence plastering work on the structure.

Eyewitnesses at the scene described the horrifying moment when the building crumbled with a deafening noise.

The victims, who had come from Nimo community to work on the site and had been staying overnight, tragically lost their lives in the catastrophe.

Swift response from emergency services and courageous manual laborers on a rescue mission helped save other workers, including a relative of the builder, who were trapped beneath the rubble. These survivors were promptly rushed to St. Felix Hospital in Nnewi for medical attention.

Upon arrival at the scene, officials from the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Engr. Chris Obiora, encountered challenges as the excavator brought in to aid in the rescue efforts malfunctioned.

scene of the building collapse

Speaking to reporters following the extraction of the deceased victims, Engr. Victor Meju, the Anambra State Chairman of COREN, shed light on the underlying causes of the tragedy.

He pointed to several factors, including a poor foundation, substandard concrete mixture, low-quality materials, inadequate load-bearing capacity, noncompliance with building standards, and a lack of approval from relevant regulatory authorities. He emphasized that these issues had collectively contributed to the avoidable catastrophe.

In response to the incident, the authorities announced the immediate seal-off of the collapsed site. Furthermore, Mr. Chukwunafu Anamanjo, the owner of the ill-fated building, will be summoned for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.

Engr. Obiora, the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North LGA, issued a plea to the public, urging them to engage certified engineers and other qualified personnel in the construction sector. He stressed the importance of monitoring teams in ensuring that construction projects adhere to safety and quality standards.

Engr. Arinze Okwuosa, the Sectoral Head of COREN responsible for Nnewi and its environs, expressed grave concerns about irregularities observed during their assessment of the site. He called for urgent government intervention to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures in the construction industry.