In order to avert a disaster in Abia State, authorities of the State Environmental Protection Agency has sealed off a two-storey shopping complex located along the Umuahia – Uzuakoli road, in the state capital for showing signs of imminent collapse from the foundation.
General Manager of the Agency, Eze Okwulehe, while performing the exercise said the Agency will stop at nothing in ensuring the safety of residents, as it concerns substandard buildings.
The General Manager warned that with the backing of a court order, activities at the shopping centre will remain suspended until reinforcement works are completed.
Efforts to get reactions from the occupants of the complex were not successful as they were seen busy packing their wares.
Available records show that Abia State has witnessed an increased rate of building collapses in recent times.
Just last month, June 2021, the Accident and Emergency complex of the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, which was under construction, collapsed though there was no loss of life.