July 02, (THEWILL) – The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has successfully rescued three persons alive from the rubbles of a collapsed four-storey building, on 23 Nkwere Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Acting Director-General of the department, Florence Wenegieme, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said no life was lost to the incident.
She said the victims had been taken to the hospital where they were treated and discharged.
According to her, FEMD received a distress call about the collapse of the building, which was undergoing renovations, at about 8:20 pm on Monday, through the department’s 112 emergency toll-free number.
Wenegieme said she immediately activated the Department of Development Control, FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and CGC Construction company, while the Garki Divisional Police Command was already on ground.
Noting that other construction workers were outside the building when it collapsed, Wenegieme, who said “Although no life was lost to the incident”, cautioned developers and individuals to “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 undertaking renovations and use only standard building materials.”
Meanwhile, the director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, has directed that the premises be sealed, as well as the immediate demolition of the remaining structures.
Galadima said the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute would be engaged to conduct integrity tests on other buildings in the area.
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