Miraculous Survival: Inside The Ebonyi Building Collapse

Miraculous Survival: Inside The Ebonyi Building Collapse

A laborer, Nkwegu Shadrach, recounted his fortunate escape from a recent building collapse in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The three-story structure, situated near Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki I, collapsed while construction was ongoing. Owned by Hon. Ukie Ezeali, the building trapped two workers, mason Celestine Arua and physically challenged laborer Egwu Ogbonnia, who were later rescued after a strenuous effort by local authorities.

Nkwegu, who narrowly avoided harm while supplying concrete, expressed gratitude for his safety and recounted witnessing the collapse firsthand. He clarified that only the mason and a deaf worker were inside when the incident occurred, highlighting that he was outside delivering materials when the structure fell.

In response to the incident, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria criticized the use of substandard materials and questioned the adherence to construction standards. Nwekete Chinasa-Jonathan, the council’s Zonal Coordinator, emphasized poor workmanship and inadequate material mixtures as contributing factors. The Commissioner for Capital Territory, Sunday Inyima, confirmed two arrests related to the collapse, underscoring ongoing investigations by both law enforcement and professional bodies.