Emergency In Abuja: Two Rescued, Many Feared Dead In Building Collapse

According to PUNCH Online, the incident has raised concerns about possible casualties. Reports indicate that two individuals were rescued from the rubble and transported to a hospital, but the full extent of the disaster remains unclear.

An eyewitness described the scene, stating, “There are fears that there might be fatalities inside the collapsed building. I saw two people being extracted and taken to the hospital as rescue efforts continued. However, the emergency response is currently struggling with coordination.”

In response to the building collapse, the Iron Rod Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has issued a stern warning to its members against the use of substandard materials in construction projects in Abuja. The Union is urging the National Assembly to take urgent action to prevent future building collapses in the city.

This call follows a similar incident at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Limited Estate in Guzape, Abuja, where a building collapse on Friday resulted in an unconfirmed number of worker fatalities.

Gbenga Awoyale, President of IRSDEUN, criticized the alarming trend of using substandard construction materials, such as inadequate iron rods, which he termed as “criminal negligence” and a “ticking time bomb.”

“We cannot wait for more tragedies to occur,” Awoyale emphasized. “Immediate action from the National Assembly is essential to prevent further disasters. The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) must also step up and enforce building standards to prevent the use of substandard materials.”

The Union is calling for the demolition of all remaining structures in the estate built with substandard materials and a comprehensive investigation into construction practices across Abuja.

“We must send a clear message that substandard construction will not be tolerated,” Awoyale asserted. “The safety of Abuja’s residents and their properties must be our top priority.