Seven workers sustained varying degrees of injuries when a three-storey building under construction collapsed on Saturday in Aboga along the Igwuruta-Etche Road, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 pm, has been attributed to the use of substandard materials by the developer. Eyewitnesses recounted the dramatic scene, with some workers narrowly escaping by jumping out before the structure caved in.
Rescue efforts began immediately, with local residents and passersby breaking through the debris to free those trapped. Shortly after, authorities from the Ikwerre Local Government and Rivers State ministries deployed excavators, a fire truck, and an ambulance to the site. Seven out of nine workers were rescued, while two others managed to escape unscathed. No fatalities were reported, but the incident highlights ongoing concerns about construction practices in the region.
State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, expressed dismay over the recurrent building collapses in Rivers State. He blamed the developer for using substandard materials, specifically citing the use of 12mm rods for decking, which violates construction standards. Bipi revealed that this was the fourth building collapse in the state since he assumed office and ordered the site sealed pending further investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest that the developer had no government-approved building plan, a common violation in similar incidents. The commissioner has summoned the property owner for questioning and vowed stricter enforcement of building codes. Bipi warned that future violations of safety standards, including the use of inferior materials, will not be tolerated, as they endanger lives and cause significant economic losses.
