4 siblings die in building collapse in Enugu

By Iheanyi Chukwudi

Four children of same parents died Friday night in Enugu following the collapse of a 44-room building at the Agric Quarters in Mgbemena, Coal Camp, Enugu North local government of Enugu state.

Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), Hon. Uche Anya, who visited the scene of the collapsed building, described the incident as very unfortunate and expressed sympathy for the parents of the deceased.

Anya who lamented that the collapsed building was not healthy for human residence, disclosed that the structure was approved for animal husbandry but was converted to residential.

The ECTDA chairman while revealing that the structure has 44 rooms, said, "As soon as we got the intelligence, we rushed to the place. Four children died in the episode.

“It was danger waiting to happen. The construction was irresponsible. The place should never have been occupied by human being. In fact, go there and see.

“Apparently, they claim that they are doing animal husbandry and poultry there but it turned out that there are 44 rooms that human beings are occupying and there must have a population of over 200 people there.

“The fence line was totally unacceptable, nobody does that, and unfortunately, the people we lost in that tragedy are innocent children and it is very painful."

Hon. Anya assured that ECTDA would continue to sensitise the public on the need to live a more conducive environment to avoid such unfortunate incident happening again in the state.

The chairman also disclosed that Compliance Unit of the agency under his leadership would ensure that structures erected by landlords and contractors adhere strictly to the approval plan, urging the public to assist government ensure safety.