Governor Soludo Vows Action After Building Disaster Claims 5 Lives in Ochanja Market

In a devastating incident on Monday evening, a building under construction at Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra state, collapsed, trapping an undisclosed number of individuals.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the site on Tuesday, confirmed five casualties and revealed that 26 people had been rescued and hospitalized. The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined.

Describing it as a tragic event, Governor Soludo emphasized that the building in question had not received government approval. He announced plans for the contractor to bear the cost of demolishing illegal structures and pledged to redesign the area for proper construction.

Furthermore, the governor declared a crackdown on buildings lacking proper approval, stating that a comprehensive inventory of structures in Anambra markets and public places would be conducted. Markets will undergo integrity tests, and unsafe structures will be removed. Those responsible for illegal constructions will face legal consequences.

Governor Soludo assured the public that the government would cover hospital bills for those receiving treatment and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.