By Our correspondent
An investigation into the collapse of the building at Amawbia Eke Market on Thursday, which resulted in the deaths of at least two people, including a father of four, has uncovered allegations of a potential acid attack on the building prior to its collapse.
According to an anonymous source, acid was poured on the market building days before it collapsed, possibly as an act of sabotage against the contractor’s work.
The motive behind the alleged attack is believed to be envy, as the contractor had successfully completed many building contracts in the area.
The source claimed that the perpetrator is a close friend and associate of the contractor, driven by envy and business rivalry.
“You won’t believe it, the perpetrators of this dastardly act are close associates of the contractor. Those who have benefitted from the contractor’s philanthropy. This is a wicked world. Just because of envy, see what somebody has done,” the source lamented.
The President-General of the Awka South Markets Amalgamated Traders Union, Comrade Anayo Nweke, had earlier also alleged that sabotage and business rivalries might have contributed to the tragedy.
Nweke who spoke to newsmen after assessing the extent of damage in mayhem, dismissed the claim that the project was a two-storey building, but a suspended toilet facility with staircase.
He thanked the members of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Red Cross, traders and passers-by, for their timely intervention and rescue operation.
According to him, the suspicious collapse, coming on the heels of endless leadership crisis and unhealthy rivalry in the quotation for the contract award would be looked into by investigation panel.
The ASMATU Boss said he had set up a seven-man panel headed by Chief Uba Anetoh, a Town Planner, to examine the remote and immediate cause(s) of the collapse of the building.
The Panel, according to him, has one-week to carry out the investigation, conclude, and submit its report.
When contacted, the Financier- Contractor handling the collapsed toilet facility, Engr. Arinze Anyadiegwu said he was on his way back to Awka from Lagos when he got the information, debunking the speculations and allegations attributing the collapse to poor engineering work.
Anyadiegwu said: “We’ve been using solid and strong materials and all the rods are of standard quality, including the sand and the stone. All rods we used are 16 mm used to erect storey bulding, irrespective of the fact that the roof is casted as well.”
Continuing, he said, “I want to make it clear that it is a pure sabotage. You won’t believe we’ve 28 to 30 solid pillars with up to five feet deep from the ground to ensure well fortification of the project. I have over 100 other shops at that Amawbia Market and none has a problem.
“The situation that happened is not out of mismanaged structure.”
Anyadiegwu, who revealed that he had fierce and unhealthy competitors who bid for the award of the contract, further alleged foul play and sabotage.
