*Workers escape death as barricade crashes

Part of the six months-old new Anambra State government house has continued to be a disaster scene.

Not long after the inauguration of the new Government House, sections after section have been crumbling, leaking badly and unmanageable.

Another aspect of the disaster struck again last Thursday night as part of the barricades surrounding the New Government House premises equally collapsed, following a windstorm that trailed heavy  downpour.

The collapse which triggered untold panic and widespread concerns over observed structural defects and integrity of the barricades, as well as the entire multi billion Naira edifice, has left everyday users and visitors in serious fears.

Visitors to the “Light House” had observed with concerns that numerous defects were noticed with the first shower of rains in the year. 

They confirmed that the only real rain of the year just fell, exposing major defects in the entire complex.

Insider sources noted that the 57-structure Government House complex, was hurriedly constructed, apparently to shield activities within the premises from public view, particularly around the Governor’s Lodge.

According to insider sources, the collapsed  barricades cost millions of naira to set up.

The sources regretted that if the barricade failed integrity in the first rainfall of the year, leaving debris all over the sprawling new complex, it’s left to imagination what the situation could be when the real rainy season sets in.

According to the sources, “It was a frightening sight. The rain was heavy, but nobody expected the barricades to collapse like that. It shows something is seriously wrong somewhere.

“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 victims”.

Workers within the entire complex lamented that they were daily afraid of the very defective structures collapsing on their heads.

Visitors have lamented the absence of diagram, and labels on any door or building in a 57 building complex where a professor remain the big overall boss.

Another visitor noted that the defective buildings must have  been the reason  why no visitors were allowed into the building with telephone or camera.

The collapsed barricade was erected on a major thoroughfare frequently used by both pedestrians and motorists, heightening fears about what could have occurred had the unfortunate incident happened during the day.

The incident has further fueled public skepticism regarding the quality and execution of the entire new Government House project. Some critics allege that the project was rushed for commissioning.

“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.” a resident said.

As of press time, officials of the Anambra State Government had yet to issue a formal statement on the incident which occurred at a time Gov Charles Soludo was out of the country.

However, sources within the Ministry of Works indicated that an assessment team may be deployed to investigate both the immediate and underlying 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,” “It raises serious questions about the overall safety of the entire Government House complex.” a community leader said.

The governor according to a source has been briefed.

Debris from the collapsed structures is being partially cleared, although 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.

The main landing of the entrance to the Governor’s office complex was the first to be renovated and is still ongoing, just few days after its inauguration.