Skip to main content

Two Die, Four Rescued As Abuja Fence Collapses


At least two people died and four rescued when a fence adjacent to a building under construction collapsed in Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja. 

News Rider gathered on Wednesday that the dead and rescued victims were the construction workers at the site of the incident. 

But an eyewitness hinted that the foundation of the building was dug too close to the fence, a situation that prompted the collapse. 

Appraising the incident, Director, Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) Mukhtar Galadima said that there was an earlier order stopping work at the site until necessary measures were put in place.

“The Department of Development Control has done all within its power by even stopping the work here. But then, the developer, maybe using his engineer, did not heed the warning and then this incident happened.

“Because when you are doing this kind of activity, you need to shore it up, retain the wall so that there will be no collapse. We didn’t know that work had resumed until this thing happened this morning," he said.



Director-General of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Dr Abbas Idriss confirmed the incident. 

He said that between 10 a.m to 11 a.m on Wednesday morning, the agency received a distress call that there was a building collapse beside the United Bank for Africa Bank (UBA) at Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II.

Idriss hinted that the agency quickly dispatched its rescue team to the site and on getting there, they discovered that a wall fell on artisans working around the area. 

"So far, six people were removed from the rubbles, two died while four are in the hospital at the moment.

“It is because they extended their building and it  encroached into the neighbourhood structure which eventually collapsed on the artisans."

Idriss lamented that the agency had severally sensitised FCT residents on the need to abide by building approvals and the Abuja Master Plan.

He enjoined the stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of granting building approvals in the FCT such as the Department of Development Control, Department of Engineering Services and other agencies, to issue proper approval and monitor constructions in all locations. 

“That is the only way to guard against the situation because the approval is supposed to be in phases, as you give approval in phase one, when they do according to specification, you now give them approval for the second phase, which is how it should be.

“But if you give a blanket approval to just go and start the building, they can build with whatever material they can. However, in this case like I said earlier, we are not talking about usage of inferior materials," he added. 

Aside Development Control Department, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), FCT Fire Service, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were present at the scene.

Recall that on Thursday, February 2, 2023, a three-storey building still under construction and supervised by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) collapsed in the Gwarinpa area of the FCT, killing three persons.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EHCON Moves To Rebrand Environmental Health Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Dr Yakubu Baba The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has taken cogent steps to rebrand the environmental health sector using artificial intelligence.  Already, plans are underway to extend the initiative across the six geopolitical zones, as no community would be sidelined.  The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this in Abuja at a 3-day workshop organised by EHCON in collaboration with Afri-Tourism Investment Limited and West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) with the theme: "AI-Driven Operations and Predictive Analysis." The essence of the workshop is to improve environmental health practice and prevent emerging diseases using artificial intelligent.   It is expected to empower Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the necessary digital skills needed to deepen environmental health practice and provide workable  solutions to problems.  Baba noted that integrating AI into environmental he...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With EPHAN On Sustainable Environmental Solutions

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R- Registrar/ CEO of EHCON Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba and President of EPHAN, Dr. Samuel Akingbehin during a strategic engagement session on Friday in Abuja. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed a deal with Public Health Association of Nigeria (EPHAN) on sustainable environmental solutions.  The partnership wlll also bolster  speedy implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental and public health.  News Rider reports that SDG 3 places emphasis on good health and well-being through the reduction of noncommunicable diseases, combatting waterborne diseases.; as well as lowers death and illness from exposure to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.  This is even as SDG 6 guarantees clean water and sanitation through universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation.  Addressing the media du...
Post a Comment
Read more