Three rescued as building collapses in Rivers

Three people have been reportedly rescued from a collapsed building in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers state.

The building collapsed on Friday, July 5.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Isaac Umejuru, commissioner for physical planning and urban development, said the state government will hold the project engineer responsible for a “lack of approval for the structure”.

He said the engineer placed a second structure on an old building which led to the collapse.

The commissioner added that the site of the collapse has been cordoned off. 

“The building was constructed without approval from the state government. It collapsed because a new structure was placed on the old one,” he said.

He said the three rescued individuals, including a two-year-old, are receiving medical attention.

“We are happy that they did not die as a result of the incident. They are currently receiving medical attention. We are hopeful that they will be fine,” he added.

Umejuru said the state government would investigate the cause of the collapse and prosecute anyone found culpable.

He warned property developers against constructing buildings without approvals from relevant authorities.

“We shall not hesitate to bring illegal property developers to book. It is only right to get approvals before construction begins,” he said.