A four-storey shopping complex on Tuesday in Abuja collapsed with over 100 people trapped in the debris with unconfirmed number of dead people.
The incident occured at about 2.00 p.m. At the time of the incident, construction workers were said to be working on some parts of the building. The building, situated at Utako district of Abuja which was housing some shops and other business outfits was allegedly
overcrowded with people
The incident, recorded many casualties including women,
especially those selling foods and water to workers at the
complex which was on the fourth floor of the building. It
was gathered that the building started experiencing some
vibration on Monday following the additional work going on
the fourth floor of the building but emergency reinforcement
work that was quickly started to remedy the situation could
not prevent the building from collapsing.
The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the workers had
complained that the building was vibrating while workers
and other people using the building were going in and out
but the before any concrete measure could be put in place,
the building caved in.
A staff of Abuja Municipal Management Agency disclosed to
the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity that the
collapsed plaza was marked for demolition last year but their demolition sign was ignored.
He said instead of the place being sealed up nothing was done because the owner was regarded as untouchable. The former Managing Director of the agency, Miss Jumai Kwanachie, however, refused to speak on the matter. It was during her tenure that the approval for the building was given by the Federal Capital Territory administration headed by Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
The shopping plaza which is located along Solomon Lar Way in Jabi area of Abuja started in 2007 and is nearing completion. It was equally gathered that after the collapse of the building, it took over three hours before rescue teams from the Federal Road Safety Commission, Civil Defence Corps and the Police could arrive the scene of the incident which is opposite one of the major hotels in Abuja and less than 400 metres away from the popular Julius Berger Junction and main yard of the construction firm.
