Contractors Flee as Two-Story Building Collapses in Umuahia on Christmas Day

A two-story building still under construction at No. 20 Ozuitem Street, Umuahia, the Abia State capital, collapsed on Christmas Day while site workers were off duty.

The structure is reported to belong to a “very wealthy” resident of Umuahia.

Although the official cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, neighbors have alleged that substandard materials used by the contractor may have compromised the building’s integrity.

A nearby resident, who remained anonymous, expressed gratitude that no workers were present at the time, saying, “Yesterday was Christmas Day, and there was no work. If not, who knows what would have happened?”

Reports indicate that the contractor fled the scene after the incident, likely to avoid arrest or questioning.

EKO HOT BLOG gathered that, a bulldozer was seen demolishing the remaining sections of the building to prevent further danger to neighboring properties. Notices from the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), dated December 26, 2024, declared the site sealed.

The UCDA’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Nkeiru Ogba, confirmed that her team had inspected the site and noted that similar collapses in the state often result from property owners failing to adhere to official regulations or bypassing due processes.

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