Athletes and spectators, Thursday scampered for safety when the giant water tank behind the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta state, venue of the ongoing 21st African Senior Athletics Championships, tagged “Asaba 2018”, collapsed.
The overhead, which collapsed due to the substandard material used by the contractor, damaged several cars in the neighbouring compound after destroying their common fence.
The incident which caused pandemonium in the stadium, according to sources, occurred at about 6pm. Nobody however sustained injury.
An official of the State Sports Commission, Asaba, who pleaded anonymity, said; “all construction carried out in the stadium were done in a hurry so it could be a result of the rush work. The collapsed water head tank was poorly done by the contractor I guess hence the collapse.
In a swift reaction, the State Government frowned at the incident and ordered an investigation into the remote and immediate cause of the collapsed water tank.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, described the incident as regrettable but thanked God that no life was lost.
Okowa who expressed concern over the collapse of the water tank, said he has directed immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse of the water tank with a view to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
He also emphasised that disciplinary actions will be taken against anyone culpable in the collapse of the water tank if it is discovered that someone failed to do the right thing abinitio.
While assuring that Government would take necessary steps to avert future occurrence, he called on the Athletes and the very enthusiastic spectators to continue to savour the beauty of the competition which so far has recorded appreciable success.
