By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) has ordered the immediate evacuation of occupants of a residential building at Mopol Base, Okpuno, Awka, following the discovery of serious structural defects that have placed the building at risk of collapse.
The development is coming amid concerns over the safety of buildings across the state, barely days after the collapse of a three-storey private hostel, the Elite Five Star Lodge at Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area, which left two persons dead and other seriously injured victims rescued from the rubble.
The latest intervention by ACTDA followed an inspection of the Okpuno building by the enforcement team of ACTDA, which reportedly discovered several deep and visible cracks on the building, alongside a noticeable sinking of one side of the structure.
Confirming the development in a public safety notice issued by the authority, ACTDA described the condition of the building as critical and warned that the structure is currently too risky, to the point that it might not withstand the remaining period of the current rainy season.
Consequently, the agency issued an immediate Vacation Order to all occupants of the building, adding that the move was to ensure safe demolition of the building.
Reiterating its commitment to being proactive, ACTDA, headed by Hon. Ossy Onuko, also sealed and urged members of the public to keep away from the building and allow the relevant officials to carry out the necessary safety actions.
Watch the video of the building below:
