By Emmanuel Ndukuba
Awka, June 13, 2024 – No fewer than three construction workers were reportedly trapped, but one rescued so far at the Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, Anambra state construction building collapse.
Mr Chijioke Ojji, Director of Operations, DMGS Centenary in a statement on behalf of the school management confirmed the incident.
He said the DMGS Centenary building collapsed about 1:00am on Wednesday, and the cause is still unknown.
It would be recalled that DMGS five-storey building under construction collapse Wednesday morning.
“It has been confirmed that three people were trapped in the collapsed building. At around 6:00PM, one individual was rescued from the disaster site.The other two are in different location and are deemed to be in a difficult situation.
“No student is affected as they are on the mid-term holidays. Also, no member of staff has been affected. There is no impact on the nearby buildings,” Ojji said.
“We will aid and expedite the conduct of a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse, with transparency and accountability,” Ojji said.
He said Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, Deputy Governor of the state visited the site and expressed the government’s support.
According to him, the Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) also visited the site and initiated the statutory collation of information.
“We are committed to provide support to affected individuals and their families.
“We will aid and expedite the conduct of a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse, with transparency and accountability,” Ojji affirmed.
He noted that it had hired equipment to lift and move the rubble and initiated a search and rescue operation.
“It is a difficult and risky process which s being done with diligence and to the best of our abilities.
“All volunteers are highly motivated but concern for
the well-being of the trapped individuals increases with each passing hour.
“At present, the only resource from the state and federal governments is the deployment of the police for crowd control. Despite our frantic efforts, the police in
Anambra and all the surrounding states including Rivers do not have sniffer dogs to support the search and rescue operation.
“Our priority remains to ensure the safety of everyone involved, provide medical assistance, and secure the site.
“We are aware of the global concern and sympathy. As events unfold, we will continue to share factual information in a timely manner through the Centenary and DOBA branches and Classes Whatsapp network and Dengramites’world,” he added.
