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By Deboy Oti, Awka

The President-General of Awka South Markets Amalgamated Traders Union (ASMATU), Comrade Anayo Nweke, has alleged sabotage in the collapse of a toilet facility at Eke Oyibo Market, Amawbia, on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at 12:30 pm.

Nweke, who spoke to newsmen after assessing the damage, dismissed claims that the project was a two-storey building, clarifying that it was a suspended toilet facility with a staircase.

He thanked the members of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Red Cross, traders, and passers-by for their timely intervention and rescue efforts. According to him, the suspicious collapse, following an ongoing leadership crisis and unhealthy rivalry regarding the contract award, would be investigated by a panel.

The ASMATU boss said he had set up a seven-man panel headed by Chief Uba Anetoh, a town planner, to examine the remote and immediate causes of the collapse. The panel has one week to conclude and submit its report.

When contacted by phone, the financier-contractor handling the collapsed toilet facility, Engineer Arinze Anyadiegwu, said he was on his way back to Awka from Lagos where he received the information. He debunked allegations of poor engineering work.

Anyadiegwu stated, “We’ve been using solid and strong materials, and all the rods are of standard quality, sand, and stone. All the rods we used are 16 mm, suitable for erecting a storey building, even though the roof is cast as well.”

He added, “I want to make it clear that it is pure sabotage. You won’t believe, we have 28 to 30 solid pillars, with up to five feet deep foundations, ensuring the project's well-fortified structure. I have over 100 shops at Amawbia Market, and none had a problem. The situation that happened is not due to mismanagement of the structure.”

According to him, he had fierce and unhealthy competitors who bid for the contract, alleging foul play.

Meanwhile, the police, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, reported that the State Command responded and rescued two victims. It was gathered that three people, including a carpenter at the site, were rescued alive while a female voice was heard crying out in anguish from the rubble. Later, two victims, one allegedly a Civil Defence official, were confirmed dead.

A press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) to newsmen reads: “In response to a distress call today at about 12:40 pm regarding a building collapse at Eke Oyibo Market, Amawbia, police operatives from the Anambra State Command rescued two victims and took them to the hospital for medical care.

“Meanwhile, on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka, stated that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led operatives to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. The area has been cordoned off, and rescue operations are still ongoing.”

Investigations revealed that some unknown people removed many of the bamboos supporting the first floor, even though it had not yet been 21 days. It is also alleged that a chemical was poured on the building's foundation to weaken it as an act of sabotage.