Rita Odafe
Building Collapse Injures Seven Workers in Rivers State
On January 4, 2025, a three-storey construction site in Aboga, situated along the Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area, collapsed.
Seven individuals suffered injuries due to the incident, which took place around 1:30 PM while laborers were present at the site.
An eyewitness reported that fortunately, no fatalities occurred. Among the nine workers present, seven were rescued with various injuries, while two managed to jump to safety.
“As I arrived, I witnessed the building starting to fall. Some workers jumped out, but others were unable to escape before the structure came crashing down,” the witness recounted.
Another observer, who wished to remain anonymous, shared, “I heard a loud noise from my house. When I rushed outside, I saw the building coming down. Residents and passersby promptly started digging through the rubble to help the victims until official rescue teams arrived.”
Emeka Kalu, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity for the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, acknowledged the incident in a statement released Sunday afternoon.
Kalu noted that besides immediate interventions by local residents, officials from Ikwerre Local Government Area and the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development promptly mobilized for rescue efforts upon receiving distress signals.
Excavators, a fire engine, and an ambulance were dispatched to assist in rescuing those trapped in the debris.
Evans Bipi, the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, expressed regret over starting the year with such a building failure.
He attributed the collapse to the use of low-quality materials by the construction firm, a warning he had previously issued in similar situations.
“It’s regrettable that our year begins with this unfortunate incident; thankfully, there were no fatalities. This marks the fourth building collapse in the state since I took office,” he stated.
“Initial findings suggest that substandard materials led to the building’s downfall.”
He specifically pointed out the improper use of 12mm rebar for structural decking, which violates safety construction regulations. Similar issues have been responsible for previous collapses in the region.
Bipi also criticized the developer for failing to follow a government-sanctioned building plan and indicated that the construction site would be shut down pending a thorough investigation.
The commissioner has summoned the property owner for questioning as part of the inquiry.
“As a government, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing incidents that result in injuries, casualties, and unnecessary losses due to negligence in building practices,” he added.
“I must emphasize that we will not tolerate any further violations of building codes, including constructions that lack official approval and the use of substandard materials in efforts to cut costs.”
