“Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, has issued a prompt directive for the immediate apprehension of the owner of the collapsed building in Abuja.
Late on Wednesday evening, a two-story building situated on Lagos Street in Garki 2, Abuja, collapsed around 11:45 pm, resulting in the entrapment of numerous occupants and the unfortunate loss of two lives.
Wike issued this order during his visit to the site of the incident on Thursday. He characterized the occurrence as tragic and instructed that the medical bills of the injured individuals be covered.
“This is not what we had foreseen. I want to extend my appreciation to the agencies that have assisted us in rescuing over 32 lives. Regrettably, we lost two lives.”
“I urge the permanent secretary to ensure that funds are sourced to settle the medical expenses of those who were rescued, preventing further loss of lives. This needs to be done without delay.”
“Additionally, these are the points we’ve been emphasizing: no one can predict whose turn it will be. Therefore, when the government declares its intention to take action in areas where there are unauthorized developments or buildings that don’t meet standard codes, it’s not a personal vendetta. For me, it’s about doing what’s right,” he explained.
The FCT minister also expressed dissatisfaction that it had taken the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) a considerable time to relocate the inhabitants of Garki village. He stated that immediate measures would be taken to guarantee the swift resettlement of the village’s indigenous people, and the government would subsequently plan the area accordingly.”
“When the government insists on adhering to building plans, it’s not meant to inconvenience anyone but to ensure the safety of all. Cities are meticulously designed to prevent occurrences like this. Just consider unauthorized buildings without proper approvals. I’m urging that we identify and apprehend the owner of this property. It’s of utmost importance.
“The government will, naturally, take control of this area and ensure that no further construction takes place here. I implore all stakeholders present to collaborate with the government for the collective benefit. This isn’t about personal preferences; no one is here to say ‘I like A, I don’t like B.'”
“I understand that government decisions may sometimes be unpopular, but in the grand scheme, they are for the betterment of the people. None of us is happy to be here today, and that’s exactly what we aim to prevent.”
“Once again, my sympathies go out to those who lost their lives. The government will cover the medical expenses of all those in the hospital. We will also provide support for the ongoing rescue operations to ensure that every individual still trapped in the wreckage is safely rescued.”
The Director of FCTA Development Control, Muktar Galadima, also spoke, indicating that the collapsed building was situated within the Garki indigenous settlement. He revealed that the structure had two suspended floors, with one used for commercial purposes and the others serving as residential spaces.
He clarified that the location lacked proper planning approval, as it was meant for resettlement from there to the Apo resettlement town.
On a different note, some residents of the area shared that they had continuously raised concerns with the landlord and the building’s lawyer about its deteriorating condition. However, their complaints were consistently ignored.
The visibly upset residents also pointed fingers at pertinent government agencies for neglecting to conduct structural integrity assessments or inspections of the building. This structure is located in the heart of the city and in a densely populated area of Abuja.”
