Seven individuals have been rescued when a three-storey constructing beneath development at Aboga alongside the Igwuruta-Etche Highway in Ikwerre Native Authorities Space of Rivers State caved in.
Eyewitnesses stated the incident occurred at about 1:30 pm on Saturday whereas staff have been on the positioning.
Although no life was misplaced, it was stated that seven of the 9 staff who have been working within the constructing have been rescued with varied levels of accidents, whereas two of them jumped off the constructing.
One of many eyewitnesses stated, “Getting right here, I noticed the constructing collapsing. Whereas among the staff have been capable of leap out, others couldn’t because the constructing collapsed on them.
One other eyewitness who didn’t need his identify in print stated, “I heard a loud sound whereas I used to be in the home; once I rushed out, I noticed the constructing collapsing. Some individuals from this space and passersby began utilizing axes to interrupt via the particles to rescue the victims earlier than the federal government and police got here to hitch the rescue effort”.
The Particular Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Commissioner for Bodily Planning and City Growth, Emeka Kalu, confirmed the incident in an announcement on Sunday afternoon.
Kalu, whereas describing the incident as unlucky, stated that other than the preliminary rescue efforts by residents within the neighbourhood, the authority of the Ikwerre Native Authorities Space and officers of the Rivers State Ministry of Bodily Planning and City Growth, in addition to the Ministry of Particular Duties, moved in simply in time whereas responding to misery calls.
He stated the ministries instantly deployed excavators, a fireplace truck, and an ambulance to make sure the well timed rescue of the victims, a few of whom have been trapped within the rubble.
Talking to newsmen on the scene, the State Commissioner for Bodily Planning and City Growth, Evans Bipi, stated it’s unlucky to start the yr with a constructing collapse.
Bipi attributed the incident to using substandard supplies by the developer, which he stated he had warned in opposition to in earlier instances.
The commissioner stated, “It’s unlucky that we’re starting the yr with this tragic incident, although no life was misplaced. That is the 4th constructing collapse we now have witnessed within the state since I assumed workplace.
“Preliminary investigation on the scene of the incident exhibits that the constructing could have collapsed as a result of using substandard supplies by the developer.
“Particularly, using 12mm rods for decking a constructing is a transparent violation of development requirements. Sadly, this isn’t an remoted incident, as comparable instances of constructing collapse within the state have been linked to the identical trigger—using inferior supplies.”
He additionally accused the developer of constructing with out a government-approved constructing plan and ordered that the positioning be sealed pending an investigation into the reason for the constructing collapse.
In line with the assertion, the commissioner has summoned the property proprietor to report back to the Ministry for questioning in tandem with investigations.
He additional stated, “As a authorities, we’re not pleased with the repeated causes of constructing collapse within the state which have claimed lives, injured a number of individuals, and precipitated avoidable damages and losses to builders within the state.
“Let me warn that we’ll now not condone a state of affairs the place some builders will proceed to violate the constructing code, together with constructing with out a government-approved constructing plan and compromising security requirements by utilizing substandard supplies in a bid to save lots of price.”