*** As FCT Police Commsionner Assures of Safety of rescue workers

Gwarimpa Building Collapse

By Festus Fifen.

A two-storey building under

construction has collapsed at 7th avenue, Gwarimpa Estate in the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Eyewitness reports say at least 40 labourers, are said to have been trapped under the rubbles of the collapsed building and three persons have been reported dead.

Speaking at the scene of the eventThe Director Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA), Muktar Galadima, told Journalists that rescue operation was ongoing with combined team of several agencies, and that over 20 persons have been rescued and taken to hospital.

He said several workers were still trapped under the rumbles of the uncompleted building.

The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council ( AMMC) Umar Shuaibu, said that while the council won’t appropriate blame to anybody, but that investigation will commence immediately to ascertain both the remote and immediate cause of the collapse.

“We can’t blame anyone for now, the major thing is to rescue those trapped, after the exercise we will look into the cause of the incident.

One of the eye witnesses, John Edwin said the workers in the site, especially labourers were conveying blocks to the top, were over 40 persons have been trapped.

He claimed to have lived in the area for many years, and that he has always known the place to be a reserved green area.

Edwin urged relevant authorities to call the management of Federal Housing Authority to question, for illegally allocating Green areas to commercial complex.

Reacting, head public affairs, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Kenneth Chigelu, said preliminary findings revealed that,” an approval for 2 floors was granted to the developer but he decided to add an extra floor to the structure”

He said investigations are on – going to reveal the causes of the collapsed building.

On his part, the FCT Police Commissioner CP Sadiq Abubakar
who personally visited the scene, has assured that the FCT Police would provide all necessary support to ensure the ease of the rescue operations and to ensure hoodlums do not take advantage of the situation. He equally pledged the support of the command to aid the functions of Building Regulatory and Investigative Bodies within the FCT.

The CP, who described the situation as very unfortunate, called on the residents of the area to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious movement to the Police. He prayed that the victims, especially those reportedly trapped under the rubble, would be rescued and stabilized accordingly.