Building Collapse: FCT Minister Orders Arrest Of FHA Officials, Developer

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed security agencies to arrest the officials of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the developer over the collapse of a two-storey building in Abuja.

1. The coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuaibu, made the disclosure at a news briefing yesterday.

Shuaibu said the minister directed the security agencies to arrest the FHA officer saddled with the responsibility of supervising the project.

He also said the minister asked the security personnel to arrest the FHA officer in charge of granting the development permit and the engineer supervising the development for alleged manslaughter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the building, which is under construction, collapsed about 11 am on Thursday at 6th Avenue, Gwarimpa Estate.

Twenty-four persons were trapped and three confirmed dead, while 21 have been rescued.

During a visit to the scene of the incident, the minister commiserated with the families of the victims and residents of the FCT.

Represented by the executive secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmad Bello said, “This is coming at a time when we are all trying as a country to come out of this worrisome situation.”

The minister recalled that it was the third time such an incident happened at Gwarinpa Estate. (NAN)