Seven Killed In Abuja Building Collapse

A two-storey building under construction yesterday collapsed
in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, claiming three lives.

About 10 persons were, however, rescued alive.

Newsmen who visited the scene of the incident, located on
Ademola Awosika Road, Kubwa Extension III, observed that a stop-work notice was
served on the contractor handling the project on January 19, after it was
observed that substandard materials were being used for the project.

Development Control Department of FCT administration had sought
to conduct integrity test on the building, which did not materialise before the
building collapsed.

It was gathered that over 50 persons, mostly Okada riders
and labourers, used to sleep in the uncompleted building, which was said to
have been under construction for about 12 years.

A combined team of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) worked together in the rescue effort, alongside services provided by a construction giant, Dantata and Sawoe.

Spokesperson of NEMA, Yushau Shuaibu, confirmed the casualty
figure alongside FCT Assistant Controller of Fire Service, Opetunsi Julius and
an official of NSCDC, J. O. Efere.

The survivors sustained minor injuries and were promptly
treated at the Kubwa General Hospital.

Almost all the survivors had difficulties communicating in
English Language, but one of them, who gave his name as Ridwan Ali, narrated
the incident, confirming that they were sleeping at the time the building went
down.

He said the victims resorted to sleeping in the building, as
they could not pay the high house rents which had become a common phenomenon in
the city.

Similarly, an uncompleted two-storey construction project in
Dutse Alhaji, Yobe State, yesterday, collapsed, killing at least four people.

Local reports suggest that the ‘abandoned’ building was in
fact home to a number of squatters from immigrants to poor artisans.

Nine injured persons are said to have sustained serious
injuries and are being treated at a local hospital.

Assistant Director at the Council for Regulation of
Engineering,  Eng. Mayas Adoyi, told
newsmen that, “our appeal to the general public and developers is, do not
embark on any construction project without a registered engineer. You must
always insist on engaging professionals.”