3 feared dead, many missing in Ikwerre building collapse

Ikwerre building collapse

Scene of the building collapse (Photo: Dennis Naku)

Three people are presumed dead and others are missing after a building under construction caved in along Isi Ewu Road in Nbodo Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State.

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

Michael Ogar, the NSCDC state commandant, who visited the scene, the cause of the incident was the use of substandard materials.

Represented by Assistant Commandant James Ngene of the Rivers NSCDC Disaster Management Rescue Team, Ogar revealed that preliminary investigations showed that the rods, pillars, and blocks used in the construction of the two-story 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 is 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.

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“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.”

Ogar praised everyone who helped NSCDC operatives with the search and rescue efforts, saying that “the collapsed building environment has now been cordoned and sealed to prevent further disaster.”

Reports have it that the dead victims were labourers working on the construction site of the two-story building when the incident occurred.

Others were rushed to the hospital on Saturday evening.

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