The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the removal of the remnants of a three-storey building that collapsed on Monday evening in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator and payloader deployed by Zeberced Construction Company, arrived at the scene at about 11:04 p.m. and immediately commenced excavation operations to determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble.
The Head of Search and Rescue, FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Mr Monday Adie, confirmed that no casualty was recorded in the incident.
Adie explained that excavation operations were deliberately delayed to give occupants adequate time to retrieve their personal belongings and valuables from the affected structure.
He said the combined efforts of security agencies and volunteers at the scene resulted in the recovery of about 90 per cent of the occupants’ belongings before excavation and demolition activities began.
The collapsed structure, which housed both commercial and residential occupants, had previously been identified as structurally unsafe.
The FCTA Department of Development Control had earlier marked the building for demolition after one of its supporting pillars collapsed. Occupants were also issued evacuation notices due to the imminent danger posed by the building’s deteriorating structural condition.
The FCTA said it remains committed to protecting lives and property in the nation’s capital, stressing that it would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to enforce building regulations and safety standards across the Federal Capital Territory.
Agencies present at the scene included the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Police Command, Department of Development Control, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Health and Environment Secretariat.
