One rescued as building under construction collapses in Abuja

One person has been rescued from the “partial” collapse of a building under construction in the federal capital territory (FCT). 

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at a construction site in the Central Business District, beside Taj Bank, Abuja.

In a statement, Nkechi Isa, head of public affairs at the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the agency was informed about the collapse one hour after the construction workers “unsuccessfully tried to rescue their trapped colleague to no avail”.

Isa said the team from FEMA and the FCT fire service were “able to rescue the trapped man with the aid of extrication equipment and the construction company’s excavator”.

“The victim was part of labourers casting the first floor of the building when the entire cast fell on him,” the statement reads.

Isa said the victim is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Mohammed Sabo, acting director-general of FEMA, who visited the site, urged developers to always adhere to the building codes and standards.

Sabo appealed to construction companies and developers to avoid the use of substandard materials or cut corners during construction.

“They should prioritise the safety of their workers during construction and that of the ultimate consumers who are the future occupants of the building,” Sabo added.