…as 21 persons so far rescuedÂ
As search and rescue operations for persons trapped in the rubble of the collapsed 3-storey building at Gwarimpa enters the second day, officials say death toll from the incident have risen to 3.
The Abuja Inquirer yesterday reported that the building under construction went down at about 11 am on Thursday, trapping an estimated 50 persons, mostly construction workers, in the process.
The Head of Public Affairs at the FCT Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Nkechi Isa, said as at Friday morning, 21 persons were rescued alive, while three bodies have so far been removed from the rubble.
She said a officials from FEMA, NEMA, Red Cross Nigeria Police, Civil Defence Corp, FRSC, Federal fire service, FCT Fire Service and some construction companies are still on ground to comb for victims.
Earlier during a visit to the site of the incident on Thursday evening, the FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello, commiserated with the families of the victims and residents of the FCT over the unfortunate incident.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, the Minister said,” This is coming at a time when we are all trying as a nation to come out of this worrisome situation of building collapse. These are issues which the FCT environment was not prominent with, but because of some activities of quackery, this has come into the FCT and the FCT is not too happy with these happenings. ”
The Minister noted that this was the third of such an incident in Gwarinpa Estate. He stated that the FCTA will stop at no limit to identify those involved in the unfortunate development.
“Preliminary report indicates that the land area where this property was standing on doesn’t look well and stabilized. There is the presumption of inferior materials in the construction and workmanship.
“To this, the FCTA will take very seriously and engage the agencies involved to find a lasting solution to this type of embarrassment.”
On his part, the Director General of FEMA, Dr Abbas Idriss, commended all the emergency workers and stakeholders involved in the rescue efforts.
He described the operation as a successful exercise in which both the security and the media had given their best in ensuring the rescue operations went smoothly.
According to him, the operation will continue until we reach ground zero to be sure that all the victims have been rescued. He also called on the residents of the FCT to report any act of sharpness and compromises, especially in the construction sites, to the relevant authorities to save lives and properties.