Three Feared Dead As Two-Storey Building Collapses In Rivers

No less than three persons are believed to have lost their lives after a three-storey building undergoing construction along Isi Ewu road, Nbodo Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State collapsed.

It was revealed that the incident took place on Saturday evening and the victims were labourers working at the site.

Details of the collapse are still sketchy but it was also gathered that some persons sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Also, the timely intervention of the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Dr Samuel Nwanosike and the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) prevented more casualties.

The incident was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, on Sunday morning.

Quoting the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Michael Ogar who visited the scene, Ayodele disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that the rods, pillars and blocks used in the construction of the two-storey building were far below the required specifications.

 “It is high time Nigerians began to take responsibility for their actions, especially when the life of humans are involved.

“The collapse of the two-storey building at Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area could have actually been avoided if standardised materials and the right specifications were used.

“Owners of buildings and landlords are hereby advised to be wary of desperate and quack building contractors who care only about their pockets and not the lives of innocent people.

“The Rivers State Commandant lauded the Chairman Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike for mobilising three pay loaders and providing the necessary logistics.

“That effort enhanced the rescuing of the victims and recovery of three corpses during a joint rescue operation by NSCDC, National Emergency Management Agency, other security agencies and well-meaning people who worked tirelessly to salvage the situation”, the statement reads.

Ogar further commended those who worked with NSCDC in the search and rescue operations, adding that the collapsed building environment has been sealed to prevent further disaster.

“In furtherance to this, the NSCDC Rivers State Command Crisis Management Department will not relent in carrying out sensitisation and awareness programs to warn the public of imminent dangers and precautionary measures needed to avert both man-made and natural disasters in our environment because prevention is better than cure.”