Abia Govt Defends Delay in Demolishing Cracked Umuahia Building, as Another Collapses One Year after at Same Premises 

The Abia State Government has explained why it is yet to demolish the cracked building at the Low-Cost Housing Estate in Umuahia, saying it is waiting for the report of an independent structural assessment before taking any decision.

The General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Kingsley Agomuo, gave the explanation while speaking with newsmen on Friday during a visit at Low-Cost Housing Estate, where a three-storey building collapsed.

This is coming nearly one year after a similar incident at the same premises.

Agomuo said the government’s priority is to protect lives and property but stressed that any action must follow due process and be backed by expert recommendations.

Mr. Kingsley Agomuo GM UCDA

He disclosed that the property had been marked for enforcement as far back as 2009 and was sealed after the collapse of the adjoining building to prevent anyone from occupying the premises.

According to him, the state engaged an independent team of structural engineers and other experts from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture and other institutions to determine the condition of the remaining building.

“We deliberately brought in an independent team because we wanted a transparent process. None of the experts was drawn from government, and we allowed them to carry out their work without interference,” Agomuo said.

He noted that although residents have continued to express concern over the condition of the building, the government chose not to rush into demolition.

“When government acts with good intentions, some people still politicise it.

“If we had gone ahead to demolish the building, some would have claimed the Governor was targeting political opponents. We have the will to do what is right, but we must also follow due process,” he said.

Agomuo said the technical committee had assured the government that its report would be ready before the end of the week.

“Once the report is submitted, government will take the appropriate decision. We are committed to doing what is right based on expert advice,” he added.

Agomuo also said the state had stepped up efforts to identify and address unsafe buildings across Umuahia.

He revealed that two other distressed buildings one at Finbarr’s road and another along Crowther Street by Niger Street, had already been sealed after inspectors discovered structural defects.

He added that the owners were directed to evacuate the buildings and commence demolition, with one already being pulled down.

As part of efforts to prevent future building collapses, Agomuo announced that the state would make soil testing and material testing compulsory for all new building approvals.

He said the government’s newly established material testing laboratory is already operational and would help ensure that buildings meet approved safety standards before construction progresses.

“Our goal is simple: to protect lives and property. Every developer will now be required to carry out the necessary soil and material tests as part of the approval process,” he said.

Also speaking, a resident of the area, Pastor Kingsley Ugochukwu, urged the government to act quickly before another tragedy occurs.

He recalled that when the neighbouring three-storey building collapsed last year, it damaged nearby houses and left several residents injured, although no lives were lost.

Ugochukwu said the impact of that collapse had left the remaining building with visible cracks, raising fears among residents living nearby.

“This is not about who owns the building. Our concern is the safety of everyone living around here.

“Families with children live beside this structure. It should either be confirmed safe by experts or brought down before it collapses,” he said.

Ugochukwu appealed to the government not to wait until lives are lost before taking action, warning that another collapse could have far more devastating consequences.

The Abia State Government says it remains committed to strengthening building regulations and enforcing safety standard to prevent future structural failures across the state.