By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, has revoked the land allocation of the area where a two-storey building collapsed at Gwarimpa in Abuja.
This is contained in a joint statement issued by the Director of Press, FCTA, Anthony Ogunleye, and the Head, Public Affairs, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Kenneth Chigelu, after a meeting between officials of both parties, Tuesday.
The AUTHORITY recalls that, last Thursday, an uncompleted building collapsed due to contravention of building codes in the area, trapping 24 people, killing three, while 21 persons were rescued.
The minister, who regretted the loss of lives, commiserated with the families of the deceased and directed that a compensation plan be prepared for them.
He also reiterated that all those found culpable in the building collapse should be made to face appropriate punishment commensurate with the crime committed.
The statement read, “The FCT Minister and the FHA Chairman both regretted the loss of lives and commiserated with the families of the deceased while directing that a compensation plan be prepared for them.
“The meeting resolved that the investigation by the technical team is also aimed at strengthening the internal working mechanism of both agencies and that all those found culpable in the building collapse will face appropriate punishment commensurate with the crime committed.
“The FCT Minister announced that in line with FCTA policy, the allocation of the collapsed building is revoked.”
Bello warned that a repeat of building collapse in the capital city must be avoided by all means adding that any contravention must go beyond stop-work notices.
