Three-storey building collapses in Abia

Part of a three-storey building at Ahiaeke Ndume Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Saturday night, collapsed after a heavy rainfall.

The collapsed part was said to be under construction but was believed to be of substandard materials, especially the rods.

A neighbour said the rain started around 9.30 pm and was so heavy that visibility was poor and movement difficult.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the owner of the building is from the neighbouring Ikwuano LGA and resides outside the country.

The source said the entire building had been under construction over the years and “has been beaten by the sun and the rains.”

The source disclosed that having completed the main building, the owner went ahead to attach the structure that collapsed.

The main building, the source said, houses a known Pentecostal church and six tenants and luckily, no one sustained any injury.

The source thanked God that it was Saturday night when the building contractor’s workers had gone on the weekend.

When our reporter visited the site, a source said all the tenants packed out of the building very early Sunday morning.

No relevant building authorities could be reached for comments.

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