After Oko hostel tragedy, Anambra vows tougher building regulation enforcement

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Anambra State Government has vowed to strengthen the enforcement of building regulations across the state following the collapse of a three-storey hostel building near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, describing the incident as a wake-up call for stricter compliance with physical planning and construction standards.

The government has also sealed the site of the collapsed Elite Five Star Lodge at Amaokpala in Orumba North Local Government Area, pending the outcome of comprehensive structural and technical investigations into the cause of the disaster.

The building, which accommodated both students and other residents, collapsed at about 10 p.m. on Sunday after occupants reportedly noticed loud cracking sounds and hurriedly evacuated the premises. While the swift evacuation prevented a larger tragedy, one person was reportedly killed and three others sustained injuries. The injured victims were taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) and St. Charles Borromeo Hospital for treatment.

Eyewitnesses said the building had shown signs of distress moments before the collapse. One resident, Miss Chioma Akabike, narrowly escaped after fleeing the structure shortly before it came crashing down, while emergency responders immediately commenced rescue operations.

Speaking during an inspection of the site, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary assessments pointed to structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse.

According to him, the sealing of the premises underscores the state’s resolve to eliminate unsafe construction practices and ensure that all building projects comply with approved standards.

“This incident marks a turning point in the enforcement of physical planning regulations in Anambra State. Property owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures will face appropriate sanctions, while ongoing projects across the state will be subjected to more rigorous inspections,” Ojukwu said.

He added that the government would not compromise on public safety and warned developers against cutting corners during construction.

Ezeobi

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, disclosed that a team of engineers and other building professionals had begun a comprehensive structural investigation to determine the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.

He assured residents that the findings would guide further reforms in the state’s building control system and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Our priority is to determine exactly what went wrong, strengthen the regulatory framework and ensure similar incidents do not recur anywhere in the state,” Ezeobi stated.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said the Ministry of Health promptly deployed ambulances and emergency medical personnel to the scene, working alongside other emergency agencies to provide immediate care for injured victims.

He commended the coordinated response of government agencies, describing it as instrumental in saving lives and ensuring prompt medical attention for those affected.

Captain Nwafor

The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, retired Captain Casmir Nwafor, also praised the swift intervention by the state government and emergency responders, noting that their prompt action helped prevent further casualties.

He urged developers, landlords, educational institutions and residents to strictly adhere to approved building plans and safety regulations, stressing that compliance remains the best safeguard against avoidable disasters.

Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Anambra State Fire Service and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) participated in rescue operations and preliminary technical assessments at the scene.

The collapse has renewed concerns over the safety of privately developed hostels around tertiary institutions, where rapid urban expansion and increasing student accommodation demands have often outpaced regulatory oversight. Building experts have repeatedly warned that the use of substandard materials, poor supervision, structural alterations and non-compliance with approved building plans remain major causes of building failures across Nigeria.

With the latest tragedy, the Anambra State Government says it is determined to tighten monitoring of construction projects, enforce compliance with physical planning laws and ensure that every building intended for public use meets prescribed structural and safety standards before occupation.