There was panic and outrage in parts of Awka on Thursday night after newly erected barricades surrounding the New Anambra Government House collapsed following a heavy downpour, raising fresh concerns over the integrity of the controversial project.
The barricades, installed around the sprawling 57-house Light House complex, were reportedly put up to shield activities within the premises—particularly around the lodge section—from public view.
Eyewitnesses said the structures, allegedly worth millions of naira, gave way under the intensity of the overnight rainfall, crashing onto adjoining pathways and leaving debris scattered across sections of the road.
“It was a frightening sight,” said a resident, Chinedum. “The rain was heavy, but nobody expected the barricades to collapse like that. It shows something is wrong somewhere.”
Another resident, Mrs. Ngozi Eze, expressed relief that no lives were lost.
“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 injured or worse,” she said.
Residents noted that the affected route is a major passage frequently used by both pedestrians and motorists, heightening concerns over what could have occurred if the incident had happened during peak hours.
The development has further fueled public skepticism about the quality and execution of the Government House project, amid allegations that it was rushed ahead of its commissioning by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There have been whispers that the project was fast-tracked to meet a political deadline,” a trader in the area said. “Now we are beginning to see signs that corners may have been cut.”
As of press time, the Anambra State Government had yet to issue an official statement. However, sources within the Ministry of Works indicated that a technical assessment team may be deployed to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the collapse.
Civil society groups have also called for an independent investigation, insisting that public funds must not be spent on substandard infrastructure.
“This is not just about barricades,” a community leader said. “It raises serious questions about the safety of the entire Government House complex.”
Although cleanup efforts have begun, parts of the area remain cordoned off as residents continue to assess the aftermath of what many described as a “preventable embarrassment.”
The incident is expected to intensify scrutiny of public infrastructure projects in the state, particularly those executed under tight timelines amid political pressure.
