Tragedy struck on Tuesday night in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, when a three-story building under construction collapsed.
The building, located near the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA 1), trapped several workers, though one victim has been rescued and taken to the hospital.
Owned by Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (P-Noble), a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly representing Afikpo North East, the structure was deemed illegal. The state Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Inyima, briefed journalists on Wednesday, expressing sorrow over the incident. He confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing for the remaining workers.
Inyima explained that the building did not have the necessary approval from the ministry’s Head of Department, yet construction proceeded regardless.
The state Commissioner for Works, Engr. Lebechi Mbam, urged developers and homeowners to follow proper approval processes to ensure safety.
Engineer Eni Enyinnaya, the state chairman of the Nigeria Society of Engineers and Chairman of Engineers Regulation Monitoring for the Council of Engineering of Nigeria (COREN), called the incident a significant economic loss and an embarrassment for the Ebonyi State government.
