3 rescued in Abuja building collapse

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) have rescued three persons from the rubbles of a collapsed four-storey building in Abuja.

The acting Director-General of the FEMD, Florence Wenegieme, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

Wenegieme said no life was lost to the incident which occurred on Monday, July 1.

Wenegieme noted that the collapsed building was located at number 23 Nkwere Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki in the FCT.

The FEMD DG said the victims were taken to the hospital where they were treated and discharged.

She disclosed that the FEMD received a distress call at about 8:20 p.m. on Monday, through the department 112 emergency toll-free number about the collapse of the building which was undergoing renovations.

2 rescued in Abuja building collapse

Wenegieme stated that the department immediately activated the Department of Development Control (CGC), FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Wenegieme added that CGC Construction Company was also activated to provide support, while the Garki Divisional Police Command was already on ground.

She noted that other construction workers were outside the building when it collapsed.

The FEMD boss said: “Although no life was lost to the incident, developers and individuals should strictly adhere to building codes at all times and engage only professional builders and engineers.

“Developers should also carry out integrity tests on existing buildings before carrying out renovations and use only standard building materials.”

Also speaking on the incident, the Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, directed the demolition of the remaining structures and sealed the premises.

Galadima disclosed that the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute would be engaged to conduct integrity tests on other buildings within the same environment.

The Star