By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

There was panic when the multi-million naira barricades erected to shield the new Anambra State Government House, code named "Light House", from public view collapsed following a heavy downpour on Thursday night, April 9, 2026.

The barricades which were reportedly mounted around the sprawling 57-house Light House complex, were said to have been hurriedly done.

According to eyewitnesses, the structures allegedly gave way under the force of the overnight rain, crashing onto adjoining pathways and leaving debris scattered across sections of the road.

A resident of the area who simply gave his name as Okwudili said: “It was a frightening sight. The rain was heavy, but nobody expected the barricades to just collapse like that. It shows something is wrong somewhere.”

Another bystander, Mrs. Ngozi Eze, expressed relief that the incident did not result in any casualties.

She said: "We thank God it happened at night. During the day, this road is always busy. If it had fallen then, many people would have been injured or worse."

However, residents of the area stressed that the affected route is a major passage frequently used by pedestrians and motorists, hence, the incident has heightened fears over what the extent of damage would have been if the incident happened during peak hours of the day.

Meanwhile, the incident has further fueled public skepticism about the quality and execution of the new Government House project, which some critics allege was rushed for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A local trader who spoke on condition of anonymity said that there have been whispers that the project was fast-tracked to meet a political deadline.

He added: “Now we are beginning to see signs that corners may have been cut.”

As of press time, officials of the Anambra State Government had yet to issue a formal statement on the development. However, sources within the Ministry of Works hinted that an assessment team may be dispatched to investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.”

Civil society groups have also begun calling for an independent probe into the incident, insisting that public funds must not be expended on substandard infrastructure.

According to a community leader, “This is not just about barricades. It raises serious questions about the overall safety of the entire Government House complex.”

At the time of filing this report, debris from the collapsed structures was being partially cleared, even aa sections of the area remain cordoned off as residents continue to assess the aftermath of what many have described as a “preventable embarrassment.”

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the integrity of the controversial project.