The Rivers State Government has summoned the developer of a three-storey building that collapsed at Aboga along the Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Saturday. Seven workers were rescued from the debris with varying degrees of injury, while two workers reportedly jumped to safety before the collapse. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm when workers were still on site.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise as the building collapsed, and residents, along with passersby, immediately began using axes to rescue the trapped victims before emergency services arrived. The victims were eventually taken to the hospital.
Rivers State authorities, including the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Ministry of Special Duties, and the Ikwerre Local Government, responded promptly with excavators, fire trucks, and ambulances. State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, condemned the incident, citing the use of substandard materials, particularly 12mm rods, as the likely cause of the collapse. He noted that this was the fourth building collapse in the state since he took office and warned that future violations of building codes would not be tolerated.
The developer has been summoned for questioning, and the site has been sealed pending further investigation.