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Owner Says Structure Stood for 14 Years Without Defect, Alleges Heavy Construction Activities Triggered Failure
Fresh reactions have continued to trail the collapse of a three-storey building in Amaogbala community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as representatives of the property owner have linked the incident to ongoing construction activities along the Oko–Umunze road dualisation corridor.
The reaction followed the collapse of the building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tominas Filling Station, Amaokpala community, near Oko, which occurred recently and prompted intervention by the Anambra State Government.
In a statement circulating on social media and attributed to representatives of the property owner, Sir Muoka P.C., Director, De-Rock Construction Services, the owners rejected suggestions that the collapse was caused by poor construction standards, insisting that the structure remained stable for about 14 years before the incident.
According to the statement, the building was constructed based on an approved building plan issued by the relevant Anambra State Physical Planning Authority, with claims that professional procedures, including soil investigation, structural design, material quality assessment, and construction supervision, were followed.
The property representatives alleged that the collapse occurred after extensive earthworks and heavy construction activities associated with the ongoing Oko–Umunze road dualisation project near the building.
They claimed that the movement of heavy machinery, excavation activities, and vibrations from the road construction allegedly affected the surrounding soil conditions, resulting in ground movement and structural stress on the building.
The statement further alleged that occupants of the building and the caretaker had earlier noticed warning signs, including cracks and ground movement during the construction activities, but that the concerns were allegedly not sufficiently addressed.
The owners maintained that the collapse was not linked to substandard materials, faulty design, weak foundation, or inadequate reinforcement, but rather to what they described as “unmitigated ground disturbance and vibration” caused by activities around the structure.
However, the allegations remain claims by the property representatives and have not been independently verified. Relevant government agencies, the road construction contractor, and technical authorities are yet to release a final report establishing the actual cause of the collapse.
The Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development had earlier announced that the collapsed site had been sealed, while preliminary assessments pointed to possible structural failure. The ministry also stated that a comprehensive technical investigation and structural integrity assessment were underway.
Building and civil engineering experts have stressed that determining the cause of any structural collapse requires a detailed forensic investigation involving structural engineers, geotechnical specialists, construction experts, and regulatory authorities.
The Amaogbala incident has therefore renewed calls for transparency and accountability whenever major infrastructure projects take place close to existing buildings.
Stakeholders say the outcome of the investigation will be critical — not only in determining responsibility for the collapse but also in ensuring that future road expansion and construction projects are executed without compromising the safety of existing communities.
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