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After a harrowing incident on Tuesday, authorities in Ebonyi State and the police have announced that everyone affected by the building collapse in Abakaliki has been safely evacuated and received medical attention as needed.
According to sources, the ill-fated three-storey building, which was still under construction, belongs to Oluchukwu Ezeali, a member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, a revelation that has sparked widespread interest in the incident.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Sunday Inyima briefed the press on the rescue efforts, announcing that two construction workers who were buried under the debris have been successfully extracted and are receiving medical attention.
The commissioner disclosed that four other workers at the site had the presence of mind to escape as the building crumbled, a fortunate turn of events in an otherwise dire situation.
Read also: NUJ Frowns At Attack On Journalists In Ebonyi State
“We went to the hospital with the four workers to see the two rescued victims and they confirmed that the workers worked with them on the site.
“We are happy that all the workers are alive and we can presently face technical matters,” he said.
The commissioner assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated to serve as deterrent to others.
“We call on the owner of the building to present himself to security agencies for investigations.
“I spoke with him and he promised to bring the site workers and the supervising engineer to the ministry but he has only brought the workers,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the building was not approved by the Ministry as the owner was advised not to erect a high rise building in the area.
“The building was situated at Udensi/ Nnodo low-cost housing estate of Abakaliki and only bungalows were approved for the area.
“The owner ignored the advice and according to information in his records, he was constructing a three-storey building.
He did not obtain a building approval as whatever he did concerning the structure was illegal,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, also confirmed that the two trapped victims were responding to treatment at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital.
“The divisional police officer in charge of the area is on top of the situation and can confirm that the victims are responding to treatment,” he said.
