* 300 illegal shops demolished
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Following the collapse of a five-storey building in Onitsha on Sunday, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered that all ongoing building projects in Onitsha be subjected to integrity tests.
Recently, another two-storey building in Ochanja Market in Onitsha had also collapsed, leading to the death of five persons, while many more were rescued alive with varying degrees of injury.
Onitsha South Local Government Area Chairman, Mr Emeka Joseph Orji, disclosed Monday that the test on all building projects would commence after meeting with the Anambra State Physical Planning Board.
He stated this during a demolition exercise in Onitsha, where about 300 illegal shops were demolished after being built without approval.
Orji said: “Over 300 illegal structures, built without approval are being demolished here. Some others, including five plazas, are to be demolished too by the Onitsha South Local Government Council.”
Reacting to the collapsed five-storey building in the area, he announced that buildings currently under construction would be subjected to integrity test on the order of the governor.
“These include material test and quality test. After meeting with the Chairman, Physical Planning Board in Awka, government would commence the process.
“Everywhere cannot be market in Onitsha and we have declared war on illegal structures and we shall ensure that the right thing is done about building collapse in Onitsha South Local Government Area,” he said.
