Two labourers who were trapped in a three-storey building that collapsed on Tuesday evening in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, have been successfully rescued from the rubble.
The incident occurred around 6pm on Tuesday at a construction site located within the premises of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA 1). But the building does not belong to the institution.
According to the Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Development, Mr Sunday Inyima, the collapsed building belongs to Ukie Ezeali, a member of the State House of Assembly representing Afikpo North constituency.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abakaliki, Inyima said two persons supervising the project had been arrested by the state police command, while efforts were ongoing to locate the owner of the building.
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“We have arrested two persons who were overseeing the site for him. I have called the honourable member to report to the police,” Commissioner Inyima said.
He further pointed out that the building was erected despite warnings from the ministry regarding its illegality. He said the construction had not been approved, and its location violated building regulations and safety standards
Inyima expressed gratitude that the two trapped labourers were rescued despite the precarious situation.
“As an honourable member of the state House of Assembly, he should have taken caution and refrained from going ahead with this structure, but he defied our instructions,” Inyima remarked.
As at the latest update, the two rescued labourers were receiving treatment at the Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital.
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