Collapsed building in Abuja claims 3

A two-storey building under construction collapsed in
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, claiming
three lives.
About 10 persons were, however, rescued alive.
Nigerian Tribune, which was at the scene of the
incident, located on Ademola Awosika road, Kubwa
Extension III, observed that a stop-work notice was
served on the contractor handling the project on
January 19, after it was observed that substandard
materials were being used for the project.
Development Control Department of FCT
administration had sought to conduct integrity test
on the building, which did not materialise before the
building collapsed.
It was gathered that over 50 persons, mostly okada
riders and labourers, used to sleep in the
uncompleted building, which was said to have been
under construction for about 12 years.
Combined team of National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA), Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security
and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Roads
Safety Corps (FRSC) worked in the rescue effort,
alongside services provided by a construction giant,
Dantata and Sawoe.
Spokesperson of NEMA, Yushau Shuaibu, confirmed
the casualty figure alongside FCT Assistant Controller
of Fire Service, Opetunsi Julius and an official of
NSCDC, J. O. Efere.
The survivors sustained minor injuries and were
promptly treated at the Kubwa General Hospital.
Almost all the survivors had difficulties
communicating in English Language, but one of
them, who gave his name as Ridwan Ali, narrated the
incident, confirming that they were sleeping at the
time the building went down.
He said the victims resorted to sleeping in the
building, as they could not pay for house rents.