Workers trapped as 3-storey building collapses in Ebonyi, rescue begins

On Tuesday night, a tragic incident occurred in Abakiliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, as a three-story building under construction collapsed.

The building, located adjacent to the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1), belongs to Hon. Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (P-Noble), a member representing Afikpo North East in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

Several workers are reported to be trapped under the rubble, with one individual already rescued and rushed to the hospital. The state Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Inyima, briefed journalists on Wednesday morning, describing the incident as tragic. He confirmed that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining workers.

Inyima attributed the collapse to the illegal status of the structure, noting that it did not receive approval from the Head of Department of the ministry, but construction proceeded regardless. This lack of official clearance highlights significant regulatory oversights.

The state Commissioner for Works, Engr. Lebechi Mbam, urged developers and homeowners to adhere to the proper channels for obtaining building approvals to prevent such disasters.

Similarly, 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), labeled the incident a monumental economic loss and an embarrassment to the state government. Enyinnaya emphasized the need to avoid hiring unqualified engineers and indicated that punitive measures would be taken against the site engineers involved.

Attempts to contact the building owner, Hon. Ukie Ezeali, have so far been unsuccessful as he remains unreachable. The situation remains critical as rescue operations continue.