In the Ada-George area of Port Harcourt, an annex of a two-story hotel collapsed, resulting in four individuals sustaining injuries. They are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the incident took place around 6:15 am on Thursday. The two-story building, which belongs to 1708 Hotel and is located at Rumuoke by Okilton Junction, off Ada George, collapsed during a time when residents in the area were still asleep. The occupants of the building, primarily construction workers, were preparing to commence their daily work when the collapse occurred.
During an inspection of the collapsed building, Emeka Woke, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, expressed the government’s commitment to thoroughly investigate the causes of the incident.
Woke stated that upon receiving information about the collapse, Governor Siminialaye Fubara instructed him to visit the site and assess the extent of the damage. Following an audit, it was determined that no lives were lost, but four individuals sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
In response, the governor directed that the premises of the collapsed building be sealed off as investigations into the incident proceed. The government aims to uncover both the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.
He however, noted that rescue operations were ongoing at the site, basically to evacuate the rubbles.
Mr Isa Aghaebne, an engineer handling the integrity test on the collapsed building, said a structural integrity test will commence on Friday.
He, however, noted that the collapse might possibly be due to foundation failure or failure of the structure itself.
“We can’t ascertain now until we have concluded an integrity test which is expected to last for about two weeks,” he said.
NAN gathered that the collapsed building is part of expansion of an existing building.