By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra Physical Planning Board has blamed structural defects for the collapse of a building under construction in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state, which reportedly trapped one person under the debris.

Executive Chairman of the Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, blamed the incident on compromise on structural integrity.

He said the structure had since been sealed, while development partners had been invited for questioning

Meanwhile, another two-storey building also collapsed in Amikwo, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

According to eye witness account, the Amikwo building, which collapsed around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, fell on part of an occupied nearby two-storey building.

While no life was lost, over 20 persons were rescued from the scene, which has since been sealed off by officials of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA). Investigation showed that the building had been marked for demolition since 2018.

Confirming the demolition schedule, the Managing Director of ACTDA, Ven Amaechi Okwuosa said: “The building had been under construction for the past ten years and was marked for demolition in 2018.

“Although the developer had commenced demolition of the building, but the right equipment was not used, hence the collapse.”

Okwuosa pledged the agency’s commitment towards ensuring the structural integrity of buildings done in the state capital territory.