Rivers State shuts down old building after injuries from collapse

The Rivers State Government has sealed off a building over 60 years old in old Port Harcourt Township. This action follows the collapse of part of the structure that injured four people.

The two-storey building is located at No. 18 Club Road. It reportedly lost part of its parapet around 7pm on Friday. The debris fell onto the ground floor, where people were gathered at a bar.

Four people were hurt in the incident. A woman suffered injuries to her head and ear. Thankfully, no one died.

After the collapse, the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning ordered everyone in the building to leave. They fear that the structure might collapse further.

Isabella Ibim, the ministry’s Press Secretary, confirmed this to PUNCH Metro on Sunday. She said the commissioner visited the scene on Saturday and told the occupants to evacuate for their safety.

"Yes, I can tell you that the commissioner visited the place on Saturday and asked the occupants to vacate the building. He also advised people against living in such old buildings because they pose a grave danger to lives.

"He was happy that no life was lost. He examined the building and saw that only part of the structure had fallen. He suspected that the building was over 50 years old," Ibim said.

She added that the ministry has been running awareness campaigns and identifying old buildings in need of renovation in Mile 1, Mile 2, Mile 3 areas of Diobu, Borikiri, and other parts of the state.

Ibim said the affected building was sealed off and marked with red tape on Saturday. The occupants were told to leave.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said part of the parapet fell from the second floor onto the ground floor, where people were having fun.

"It happened around 7pm on Friday. People were seated at the bar on the ground floor, drinking and having fun, when suddenly the parapet of the building pulled off and came crashing down.

"There was confusion because nobody expected that sort of thing. About three or four persons were injured, especially a lady who got hurt on parts of her head and one of her ears. You can see for yourself that it is a very old building," the eyewitness said.

He added that he had known the building for decades and thought it was getting weak.

"I’m over 50 years old, and I grew up knowing this building. It is over 60 years old, and you can see that the structure is getting weak. Who knows if the building has ever been renovated?" he said.

Our correspondent visited the site on Sunday and saw that the debris had been cleared, but signs of the collapse were still there. The occupants had also left the building.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident and the injuries. She said an investigation is in progress.

"Yes, I can confirm the incident. Four persons were injured and rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, the place has been cordoned off, and an investigation is ongoing," Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said.