The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, took swift action following the tragic collapse of a two-storey building on Lagos Crescent, Garki 2, Abuja, on Wednesday.
During his inspection of the site, which claimed lives and saw the rescue of several individuals from the rubble, Wike expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident and issued orders for the immediate arrest of the building’s landlord.
The Police Command has confirmed that the collapse resulted in the loss of two lives, while 20 others were successfully rescued.
Wike emphasized the importance of adhering to building standards and regulations, stating, “These are the things we have been saying. Nobody knows whose turn it will be; therefore, when the government says it will take action in areas we believe there are illegal developments or buildings that don’t comply with the standard codes, it is not as if anybody has any personal vendetta. For me, it is for us to do the right thing.”
He continued, “When the government says take a building plan, it is not to suffer anybody but to make sure that everyone is protected. Cities are planned to forestall this kind of occurrence. Imagine buildings without approval. I will ask that we identify and arrest the owner of this property. It is very important. Government will, of course, take over this area and make sure no further development is carried out here.”
Wike urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the government in the interest of public safety, saying, “No one has come here to say I like A, I don’t like B. I know sometimes government decisions may not be too comfortable with the people, but, in the long run, it is in the interest of the people. Now we are all gathered here, and none of us is happy we are here; these are the things we are trying to forestall.”
He also directed the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, to immediately ensure that funds were raised to cover the hospital bills of those who were rescued.
Muktar Galadima, the Director of Development Control, revealed that the collapsed building lacked development approval. Also, he stated that the residents of the particular Garki 2 settlement were meant to be resettled in Apo.
The FCT Police Command dispatched specialized search and rescue teams to the scene to ensure the safety of all involved.
The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Josephine Adeh, issued a statement, saying, “The command has deployed every effort to locate and extricate those who are trapped. So far, 20 persons have been rescued from the scene while two others unfortunately lost their lives. We are working in close coordination with other relevant agencies, including the fire service, emergency medical services, and disaster response teams to streamline our rescue efforts.”
The Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, visited the site to assess the situation and extend condolences to the affected families.
He also expressed gratitude to other rescue workers and the community for their support and assistance in the rescue operation.
“The CP extends his thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and urges members of the public to steer clear of the incident area to facilitate the ongoing rescue efforts and to allow emergency personnel to work without hindrance,” the statement concluded.
