Chaos as Barricades Crash at New Anambra Government House
One of the failed barricadedes
Disaster struck on Thursday night as newly erected barricades surrounding the New Anambra Government House in Awka collapsed following a heavy downpour.
The collapse triggered panic, outrage, and widespread concern over the structural integrity of the barricades.
The structures, mounted around the sprawling 57-house Government House complex,often referred to as the “Light House”—were reportedly hurriedly constructed, allegedly to shield activities within the premises from public view, particularly around the lodge.
According to an insider who spoke on condition of anonymity, the barricades cost millions of naira to construct.
The source lamented that they failed during the first major rainfall of the year, leaving debris scattered across sections of the road.
“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.” the source said.
A bystander, Mr. Chigozie Obiora, expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in casualties, noting the proximity of the structures to surrounding buildings.
“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,” he said.
Residents noted that the affected route is a major thoroughfare frequently used by both pedestrians and motorists, heightening fears about what could have occurred had the collapse happened during peak hours.
The incident has further fueled public skepticism regarding the quality and execution of the new Government House project. Some critics allege that the project 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.” a resident said.
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 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.
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.
