By Oluwatosin Maliki
In a swift rescue operation launched by the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a trapped construction worker was rescued after the partial collapse of a building under construction in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Quest Times gathered that the incident happened on Saturday in the Central Business District, close to Taj Bank in the nation’s capital.
Nkechi Isa, the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), issued a statement, noting that the agency was informed about the collapse one hour after the construction workers “unsuccessfully tried to rescue their trapped colleague to no avail”.
Although it is still unclear what caused the partial collapse of the building, a team of FEMA in collaboration with the FCT fire service were “able to rescue the trapped man with the aid of extrication equipment and the construction company’s excavator,” she stated.
The statement read, “The victim was part of labourers casting the first floor of the building when the entire cast fell on him.”
While giving an update on the victim, Nkechi said that he is currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.
During a visit to the site by FEMA’s acting director-general, Mohammed Sabo, he cautioned developers to strictly adhere to the building codes and standards at all times, so as to avoid incidents like this from happening.
Also, he called on construction companies and developers to avoid the use of substandard materials or cut corners during construction.
“They should prioritise the safety of their workers during construction and that of the ultimate consumers who are the future occupants of the building,” Sabo added.