• Could have employed more than 500 employees - Staff

Enugu -RESIDENTS of Enugu State are worried over the abandonment of federal government of the federal government-owned Neuropsychiatric hospital located at 52, Chime Avenue, New Haven, Enugu.

South East Voice visited the hospital and discovered that many facilities in the hospital had been abandoned just as the expansive building which stands conspicuously at the main entrance gate was caving-in from the top right hand corner of the building.

 Also, water was seen dripping in torrents from the two storey building due to long exposure to the rain From the billboard in the hospital, it was discovered that the contract for the project was allegedly awarded to messrs Akal Group Limited with the aim of absorbing over 500 fresh employees that were to be recruited to fill existing vacancies in the hospital, noted for treatment of the mentally ill in the whole of the south east and beyond.

However, at the hospital, it was observed that reptiles and redents had taken over the building. The entire walls which had become very weak as they had absorbed much water giving way for the growth of greenish fungi (spiro-gyra).

Engineer speaks

 Speaking on the imminent dangers inherent in such situation, a building/structural engineer, Okey Agbo, said;"The water that you see dripping from the floors of building is because it has absorbed water it is not roofed.

"The absorded water will cause the floors to expand and crack which will lead  to breakages. The expanded metals used for its rooding will be rusting by now due to exposure to sun and rain.

The wals and rain water

"Those greenish fungi you see all over the walls is due to esposure to rain. The walls have abosorbed rain water, that is why those greenish fungi is growing. This will make it almost impossible for the plastering to be done. 

"Being that the building is not roofed; the entire wall strength will be reduced as a result of exposure to rain and sun which eventually causes collapse."

Efforts by the South East Voice to Know the reasons for the poor state of affairs from the Chief medical Director at the hospital, Dr Onwukwe,failded but as a staff at the hospital, Dr. Onwukwe, failed but as a staff at the hopsital who pleased anaonymity for feat victimization said, "this place is a 'landmine'. The building is collapsing. There is no doubt about that, Everybody can see it. Have you forgotten that the hospital management sold forms at the rate of N3,000 each to propspective job seekers sometime ago with the hope that building will be completed. the entire scheme failed."