Tragedy struck in Adeje community, Delta State, in the early hours of Sunday, when a 30,000-litre overhead water tank collapsed, crushing several nearby buildings.
According to eye witnesses, the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m, sending residents into a state of shock and panic. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
During an inspection of the site, Delta State’s Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Dr. Isaac Wilkie, represented by the General Manager of the Delta State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STOWASSA), Engr. Anthony Unuafe, expressed deep regret over the incident.
He expressed gratitude to God that, despite the severity of the collapse, no fatalities were reported.
Unuafe stressed that the purpose of the visit was not to assign blame to the contractor responsible for the water scheme or the community where the project is situated, but to investigate the causes of the collapse. “We are here to determine the remote and immediate causes of this unfortunate event, and to ensure that steps are taken to restore the water supply system for the benefit of the community,” he said.
While acknowledging the need for a thorough investigation, Unuafe assured the community that strict action would be taken against any parties found culpable in the collapse. He noted that the state government would implement necessary measures to remedy the situation and prevent future occurrences.
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An eyewitness, Mr. Sunday Aju, recounted the terrifying moment when the tank collapsed. “It was around 1:00 a.m. when we were all asleep. The stanchion holding the tank gave way, and the tank came crashing down, crushing part of our building. We were lucky to escape unharmed,” he said.
Another resident, Augustina Areyen, a hairstylist whose salon was destroyed, described the scene as catastrophic. “I was asleep when the stanchion suddenly gave way. The tank fell, destroying my salon and causing injuries to other occupants in the building,” she said.
The collapse has raised concerns within the community about the quality of infrastructure in the area, as residents await the outcome of the government’s investigation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper supervision and maintenance of public projects to avoid such disasters in the future.
