The Federal Capital Territory Authority, FCTA has declared that it will prosecute the contractor responsible for the collapsed four-storey building, which resulted in injuries to nine workers on Monday evening.
During a visit to the site of the collapsed building, Adesola Olusade, the Permanent Secretary of FCTA, affirmed on Tuesday that any staff member found to have compromised the process would face consequences.
While acknowledging that no lives were lost in the incident thus far, Olusade expressed disappointment with the project handlers for clandestinely returning to the construction site during the recent Sallah holidays, despite being advised and served with stop work notices by the project consultant and FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority), respectively.
According to Olusade, the building collapsed as a result of disregarding professional advice from both the consultant and the administration.
Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of Development Control, also urged the establishment of a high-powered panel to investigate the cause of the disaster and ensure appropriate disciplinary actions are taken against those found responsible.
Galadima revealed that preliminary investigations uncovered observations made by officers at the site when the contractor commenced development. The contractor was instructed to resubmit the design for the basement due to its failure to reflect the topography.
He further explained that due to the sloppy and swampy nature of the area, the contractor was requested to submit a revised basement design.
“During the course of the development, certain alterations were made, and construction was halted until those modifications were incorporated into the design,” Galadima stated.
“Unfortunately, the contractor returned to the site during the Sallah break, and while attempting to cast on the existing structure, the unfortunate incident occurred,” he added.
