Collapsed building in Abuja claims 3

Posted by admin Abuja (FCT), State News Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

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

About 10 persons were, however, rescued alive.

Nigerian Tribune, which was at 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.

Combined team of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) worked 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 for house rents.

via Tribunewp_posts