Rainstorm Pulls Down Multi-Million Naira Barricades at New Anambra Govt House, Experts Allege Substandard Work

By Our Correspondent

There was panic and outrage in parts of Awka on Thursday night after newly erected barricades surrounding the New Anambra Government House collapsed following a heavy downpour, raising fresh concerns over the integrity of the controversial project.

The barricades, reportedly mounted around the sprawling 57-house Light House complex, were said to have been hurriedly constructed to shield activities within the premises—particularly around the lodge section—from public view.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the structures, allegedly costing millions of naira, gave way under the force of the overnight rain, crashing onto adjoining pathways and leaving debris scattered across sections of the road.

“It was a frightening sight,” said a resident who identified himself simply as Chinedum. “The rain was heavy, but nobody expected the barricades to just collapse like that. It shows something is wrong somewhere.”

Another bystander, Mrs. Ngozi Eze, expressed relief that the incident did not result in casualties.

“We thank God it happened at night. During the day, this road is always busy. If it had fallen then, many people would have been injured or worse,” she said.

Residents say the affected route is a major passage frequently used by pedestrians and motorists, heightening fears over what could have occurred had the collapse happened during peak hours.

The incident has further fueled public skepticism about the quality and execution of the new Government House project, which some critics allege was rushed for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“There have been whispers that the project was fast-tracked to meet a political deadline,” a local trader claimed. “Now we are beginning to see signs that corners may have been cut.”

As of press time, officials of the Anambra State Government had yet to issue a formal statement on the development. However, sources within the Ministry of Works hinted that an assessment team may be dispatched to investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.

Civil society groups have also begun calling for an independent probe into the incident, insisting that public funds must not be expended on substandard infrastructure.

“This is not just about barricades,” said a community leader. “It raises serious questions about the overall safety of the entire Government House complex.”

Debris from the collapsed structures is being partially cleared, though sections of the area remain cordoned off as residents continue to assess the aftermath of what many have described as a “preventable embarrassment.”

The incident is expected to intensify scrutiny of public projects in the state, particularly those executed under tight timelines amid political pressure.