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Owners of the two buildings that collapsed in Umudioka, by Agu-Oye, in Awka, Anambra State have appealed to the state government to come to their aid to enable them return to their normal life.
The buildings reportedly collapsed after a nearby gully erosion site caved into them, following a torrential rainfall.
Four electricity poles carrying high-tension wires were also, said to have fallen, but had since been disconnected by officials of First Power.
The owner of one of the collapsed buildings, Lady Okwudilichukwu Nweke, attributed the incident to improper channelling of water in the area, which, she said, gradually developed into a gully. Although she said there were no casualties recorded from the building collapse, she, however, said her family has been rendered homeless and appealed to the government to come to their aid.
“My family has been rendered homeless. The floodwaters swept away most of our belongings, leaving us with uncertainty of where to start to rebuild our lives,” she said amid sobs.
Reacting to the development, Managing Director, Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko, attributed the building collapse to age-long gully erosion that had gradually extended into residential areas. He assured residents that the government would take steps to address the erosion site and prevent further damage.
Lamenting several erosion sites across the state, which were begging for intervention, the ACTDA boss urged individuals, communities, and groups to collaborate with the government in tackling the menace.
“The state is losing land to erosion on a daily basis, making collective action necessary to address the problem,” he said.
Onuko advised people to desist from activities that could worsen flooding and erosion in their communities.
