FCTA BEGINS REMOVAL OF COLLAPSED BUILDING REMNANTS IN WUSE ZONE 4

By: Nkechi Isa

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the removal of the remnants of a three-storey building that collapsed on Monday evening in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) received a distress call concerning the incident at about 7:20 p.m. and immediately mobilised emergency responders to the scene. Search and rescue operations commenced shortly afterwards to determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.

Initial eyewitness accounts indicated that there were no casualties. However, responders continued their assessment of the site as details of the number of persons affected and the cause of the collapse remained under investigation.

Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator and payloader belonging to Zeberced Construction Company, arrived at the scene at about 11:04 p.m. and was deployed to facilitate excavation and removal of the collapsed structure.

The Head of Search and Rescue, FEMD, Mr. Monday Adie, confirmed that no casualties had been recorded in the incident. He explained that excavation operations were initially delayed to allow occupants sufficient time to retrieve their personal belongings and other valuables from the affected premises.

According to Adie, the combined efforts of security agencies and volunteers at the scene resulted in the recovery of approximately 90 per cent of the occupants’ belongings before excavation and demolition operations commenced.

The building, which was used for both commercial and residential purposes, had earlier been identified as structurally unsafe. The FCTA Department of Development Control had marked the structure for demolition following the collapse of one of its supporting pillars and issued notices directing occupants to vacate the premises. Reports from the scene confirmed that the building had been sealed earlier on Monday before its eventual collapse.

Personnel from the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Police Command, Department of Development Control, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Health and Human Services Secretariat were among the agencies involved in the emergency response.

Three ambulances were also stationed at the scene to provide emergency medical support while search and rescue activities continued.

The FCTA has urged members of the public to remain calm and stay away from the affected area to allow emergency responders and security personnel unrestricted access to carry out rescue, excavation and response operations.

The Administration reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory and ensuring compliance with approved building regulations and safety standards.

Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the structural condition of the building before the incident.