Hostel collapse: Oko Poly students accuse property owners of exploitation *As Polytechnic Rector says no student died

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By Madu Obi

A new dimension that emerged after the collapse of the three storey building housing students of the Federal Polytechnic,Oko, Anambra State indicated that the occupants of the building have been complaining the structural defect of the hostel, but the landlord allegedly refused to act.

Some students who spoke after the incident said that there had been signs that the building was not healthy, but the owners ignored it.

A female student occupant who was lucky to be away when the building collapsed said: “The landlord and the caretaker were more interested in fleecing students with one bill or the other. When you tell them about the defects in the building, they ignore you.

“Surprisingly, these same people who ignore the faults in the building are so high handed when it has to do with collection of levies and their house rent.

“They would lock students out of their rooms if they owe rent, and would never open it no matter how much you plead, until you pay them.

“Sometimes students who are locked out would be squatting with friends for days. They won’t even let you collect your books during exam period so that you can study.”

"In fact, many hostels in Oko and Amaokpala have defects and we urge the authorities to look into it.

Another female student said: “I once showed the caretaker a fault in the house, and because of that, he stopped talking to me for months.

“What will people whose children died do now? Students who escaped but lost their property and vital documents, how will they be repaid? The landlord and caretaker need to be arrested.”

No student died - Oko Poly management

Meanwhile, the management of the Polytechnic has claimed that no student died, or was trapped in the collapsed building.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Oguegbu Celestine Udoka said the affected building is a privately owned lodge situated in Amaokpala, a neighbouring community to Oko, adding that it accommodates both students and non-students.

According to him, the incident occurred after the completion of the second-semester examinations, noting that many students had already vacated their hostels and travelled home for the academic break.

He stressed that contrary to widespread speculation, no student of the Polytechnic has been confirmed dead as of the time he was issuing the statement.

Also, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has visited the scene to assess the situation and ascertain the welfare of students who might have been affected.

She was accompanied by the Students’ Union Government President, Giant Comrade Anuluonye Ifechukwu Joseph, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, the Chief Security Officer, and other members of staff.

Also present at the scene were the Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Architect Okey Ezeobi, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, who monitored the rescue operations and assessed the situation.

The Polytechnic confirmed that several occupants had been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, where they were receiving treatment, while rescue workers were still searching for about two individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble. The trapped people, he insisted, are not students of the institution.