The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) rescued three people from the rubble of a collapsed four-storey building in Abuja on Monday.
FEMD’s acting director-general, Florence Wenegieme, announced in a statement on Tuesday that there were no fatalities in the incident.
Wenegieme detailed that the building, located at 23 Nkwere Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way in Area 11, Garki, FCT, collapsed while undergoing renovations.
The rescued individuals were taken to the hospital, treated, and discharged. FEMD received a distress call around 8:20 p.m. on Monday via its 112 emergency toll-free number.
Upon receiving the call, FEMD quickly coordinated with the Department of Development Control, FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the rescue operation. CGC Construction Company also provided support, and the Garki Divisional Police Command was present at the scene.
Wenegieme added that other construction workers were outside the building when it collapsed.
“Although no life was lost to the incident, developers and individuals should 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 carrying out renovations and use only standard building materials,” she said.
Reacting to the development, Mukhtar Galadima, director of development control, directed the demolition of the remaining structures and sealed the premises.
Mr Galadima disclosed that the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute would be engaged to conduct integrity tests on other buildings within the same environment.
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