. . . Says four rescued, rescue work ongoing

By ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has confirmed the collapse of a commercial and privately owned structure on its estate in Gwarimpa area, Abuja, while giving an idea of why the building collapsed, reportedly trapping many people.

A statement issued by the Head, Public Affairs of the authority, Mr Kenneth Chigelu, said that “a framed structure with columns, suspended slabs in place and some block works located on the 6^th avenue in the estate collapsed on Thursday, 2^nd February, 2023.”

A total of four people were rescued from the rubble, while rescue operations are still ongoing, according to the statement.

It disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that an approval for a two-storey building was granted, but the private and commercial developer flouted the instructions by adding an extra one.

It promised that detailed investigations would reveal both the immediate and remote causes of the collapsed building on its estate.

The statement reads: “A building in Gwarinpa estate, Abuja collapsed today 2^nd February, 2023. The structure, a commercial privately development, privately owned, is situated along the 6^th Avenue.

“As at the time of collapse, the building was a frame structure with columns, suspended slabs in place, and some block works.

“Preliminary findings revealed that an approval for 2 floors was granted to the developer, who decided to add an extra floor to the structure.

“Rescue efforts are currently going on to save lives, with responses from all relevant agencies. A total of four people have been rescued from the rubbles at the time of this release.

“Investigations which are on-going will reveal immediate and remote causes of the collapse.”

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