Seven Rescued as Three-Storey Building Collapses on Igwuruta-Etche Road, Rivers State

 In a distressing incident on January 6, 2025, a three-storey building under construction at Aboga along the Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State collapsed, trapping several workers.Seven individuals were rescued from the debris, some sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Eyewitnesses reported that the building gave way around 1:30 p.m. while construction was ongoing.John Dike, a bystander, recounted, "Getting here I saw the building collapsing, while some of the workers were able to jump out others could not as the building collapsed on them." The swift response from local residents and passersby was instrumental in the rescue efforts, as they used axes to break through the debris before authorities arrived.

This incident marks the fourth building collapse in Rivers State within three months, raising serious concerns about construction practices in the region. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, who visited the scene, attributed the collapse to the use of substandard materials, specifically citing the use of 12mm rods for decking, which violates construction standards.He also noted that the developer lacked government-approved building plans.

In response, the ministry has sealed the property pending a thorough investigation and has summoned the property owner for further inquiries.Commissioner Bipi emphasized the government's intolerance for violations of building codes and the use of inferior materials, warning that such negligence endangers lives and leads to significant economic losses.

This alarming trend of building collapses underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of construction regulations and heightened awareness among builders and developers in Rivers State to prevent future tragedies.