Some victims of the unfortunate collapse of buildings at Ochanja market in Onitsha Anambra State have cried out to the state government for help, to enable them to continue their treatment at the hospitals.
According to the victims, they could no longer continue their treatments due to their inability to pay their medical bills.
Recall that in February this year, the collapse of the ongoing structures at the market had led to the death of about 10 persons, while over twenty persons were rescued with varying degrees of injuries.
The controversy around what led to the collapse of the buildings appeared to have roped the state government in.
It was gathered that the project was being developed by a private developer in partnership with a state government agency and the hurry to complete the project, made them overlook some critical details in the construction process.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo had during his visit to the site of the building collapse, promised to pay for the medical bills of the surviving victims.
But while speaking to our correspondent, Mr Simon Chijioke who spoke on behalf of the victims, regretted that those hospitals treating them are no longer treating them because there is no money to pay for their bills.
”The hospitals providing medical attention to the victims have stopped further treatment of those victims on the ground that they cannot afford to pay for their medicare,” he lamented.
According to him, they have resigned to fate waiting for the promise of the governor to offset our medical bills.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the market has given N700,000.00 to the surviving 27 persons of the building collapse at the Ochanja market.
Simon Chijioke who fell from the two-storey building and had a fracture said the market leaders through their women’s wing gave 27 of them N20,000.00 and some N23,000.00 each to take care of their medical expenses.
“They made sure that every one of us got something and it is not the amount that matters but the heart and intention to assist us and we commend them for that,” he stated.
Narrating how he escaped from the collapsed two-story building at Ochanja, Chijioke said he was up working on the parapet when he heard a loud noise and people shouting from downstairs.
“I looked down and saw someone shouting at me to find my way that the building was collapsing.
“When it became clear that I may get killed, I had to jump from upstairs and fell.
“They took me to the White Chapel Hospital along with two other victims but one died at the hospital when we got there and the other one died two days after when I was able to contact his elder brother on the phone,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Transition Committee Chairman of Onitsha South local government area, Chief Emeka Joseph Orji has explained that the compilation of the list of victims has been concluded, stating that last-minute arrangements have been made for the payment.
“You all know that government has a process and the governor had directed us to compile their names which we have done and we appeal to those hospitals to continue to provide them with the best medical attention available and we guarantee those medical institutions that all would be settled,” he said.
