The polytechnic town of Oko in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State was shaken yesterday when a three-storey building under construction collapsed, trapping seven labourers.

The building, located near the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, belonged to a private developer at Nwagu village.

An eyewitness told News Express that no life was lost. Efforts to rescue the trapped workers were ongoing as at the time of filing this report last night.

Two buildings adjacent to the collapsed building were affected by the impact of the collapse and the residents have been evacuated by the authorities of the polytechnic.

During his visit to the scene of the collapsed building, the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, said that the contractor and owner of the building would be prosecuted if found to have cut corners. He said that a panel of inquiry would be set up to determine the remote and immediate causes of the building collapse.

Obiano sympathised with the students whose hostels have been shut because of the incident and assured them that their safety was of utmost importance to the State Government.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the Oko Polytechnic, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, explained that the building was owned by a private estate developer and not the institution as was being speculated.

He said: “The said collapsed structure was located in a boundary village within the extension site of the institution but though the building was meant to be rented to students when completed, it did not belong to the institution.

“Our Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu, less than one hour of the collapse, visited the scene of the incident and immediately gave directives for the evacuation of all students residing within the axis of the collapsed building for fear of the unknown.”

•Photo shows rescue workers at the collapsed building . . . yesterday.

Update news