By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of the owner of a building that collapsed in Jikwoyi, a suburb of Abuja.
Wike made the statement when he visited the site with some top officials of FCT administration on Tuesday.
He said the government will seize the plot of the land and consult with the local community to determine a suitable public-purpose project to be built on the reclaimed land.
Recall that the building collapsed last Friday, though no live was lost in the incident but several individuals reportedly sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The Minister emphasized that the government’s primary concern is the safety of lives, saying buildings constructed without supervision often utilize sub-standard materials.
WIke explained that the developer will face criminal prosecution for violating building regulations and endangering the public.
He issued a “zero-tolerance” warning to other developers across the FCT who bypass legal channels, directing the Department of Development Control to move beyond merely serving notices and to begin the immediate demolition of unauthorized structures.
”Anywhere you see a building going on without approval, do not hesitate. “If they continue after being served, you come and bring the building down in order to save lives”, Wike said.
Regarding possible internal connivance, the Minister clarified that no approval existed at any level, placing the full weight of the liability on the developer.
He urged citizens to follow the “simple process” of obtaining approvals to ensure that materials—such as cement and sand mixtures—meet safety standards before construction begins.
