Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has revealed that a grim toll of five lives lost and 26 individuals rescued emerged from the wreckage of a two-storey building collapse at Odu-Igbo Market, Ochanja, Onitsha.
Addressing the scene of the disaster on Tuesday in Onitsha, Governor Soludo disclosed ongoing efforts to extract any remaining survivors trapped beneath the debris.
Assuring support, Soludo pledged the state government would shoulder the medical expenses of those undergoing treatment in hospitals, extending heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.
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In a stern directive, Soludo mandated the contractor accountable for the collapsed structure to foot the bill for clearing the rubble, emphasising the scourge of unauthorized construction as a pressing issue in the state.
Expressing dismay over the incident, Soludo underscored the need for stringent regulations, vowing to personally approve all market construction plans before commencement.
He decried the audacity of erecting structures without official consent, reiterating his administration’s resolve to dismantle illegal constructions and enforce strict adherence to building regulations.
Furthermore, Soludo announced forthcoming integrity tests for markets across the state, signalling a crackdown on unsafe edifices and legal repercussions for those culpable in unlawful building activities.
