By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Mr. Olusade Adesola on Tuesday visited the site of the collapsed three storey building under construction in Dape District of the FCT.
The Permanent Secretary, who was accompanied on the visit by senior officials of the FCT Administration, sympathized with the affected workers at the site whose health and livelihoods were negatively impacted by the building collapse.
Adesola, who expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost to the unfortunate incident, however disclosed that investigation has commenced to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the building collapse, warning that those found culpable would face the consequences of their actions.
He said the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad will chair a technical Committee that will investigate the incident and establish culpability, either by the developers or officials of the FCT Administration.
He however revealed that preliminary information showed that the developers of the collapsed building were severally warned to stop work at the site, which they failed to adhere to.
According to the Permanent Secretary, “The collapse of this building affirms the fact that when you ignore professional advice, it has a repercussion and this is what is evident. We were just informed that instructions and notices were served to stop work. Even the consultant on site advised that no further work should be done on this site, but it was ignored.”
“These are preliminary information being provided to us. Going forward, we have to really go to the root of it to know what happened. Until further investigation is concluded, the site is permanently closed.
“A caveat will be placed on the plot so that some efforts are not made, either by way of sale or any other transactions.”
“The Executive Secretary FCDA will chair a technical Committee that will evaluate the immediate and remote causes of the collapse. We will also establish culpability, whether from officials of the Administration or by external persons.
“The operation practice for the profession of engineering is very clear. It has codes for all offences and we will invoke all these penalties and sanctions when the report is done”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary while clarifying that the incident involved a three-suspended floor structure still under construction and not a hotel or a six storey building as was being speculated in some quarters, cautioned against sensationalizing the misfortune of others
He also assured that the Development Control Department of the FCT Administration is very much alive to its duties and would always consider all factors before authorizing the development of any property.
“I want to assure the public that when a property is duly authorized by the Development Control, all factors are considered. But now, noting that there could have been some variables not taken into consideration, they directed that work should be stopped. But the developer ignored those warnings and advice from the authority. We will look into detail at what has happened and we will be able to arrive at the situation.”
“It is important that we don’t sensationalize the misfortune of others. They deserve our sympathy, but we have to ensure that the right thing is done. We will do all that is possible within our means to prevent a recurrence within the FCT”, he added.
Also speaking during the visit, the Director General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),Dr Abbas Iddris, said the Agency, upon receiving distress calls that a building had collapsed at the site, immediately activated a stakeholder team to the site for rescue operations.
According to him, in the process, nine people were rescued and taken to the hospital, with six of them already treated and discharged while three others in stable condition, are still receiving treatment.
In a statement by the Director of Press, Anthony Ogunleye, the DG appreciated the efforts of the critical stakeholders including the FCDA and the Development Control who provided vital equipment for the rescue efforts.
On his part, the Director, Development Control, Town planner Mukhtar Galadima explained that the incident occurred at Plot 965 within Dape District which was designated for a mixed use development, adding that approval was granted for development of commercial and residential facilities on a three suspended floor.
He said preliminary investigation however revealed that when the developer commenced development, there was an observation made by the officers on site and he was asked to resubmit his designs for further re-assessment.
“Somehow, along the line in the course of development, there was an alteration and the developer was asked to stop until those modifications are integrated in the design, he said.
The Director said that the developer however failed to heed to directives to stop work until the building eventually collapsed on Monday July 3rd.
He also called for all those found culpable in the unfortunate incident to be appropriately sanctioned.
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
Leave a Reply