One person is feared dead while several others remain trapped after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on Wednesday along Peter Odili Road, a highbrow area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The building reportedly caved in during construction, with eyewitnesses attributing the incident to possible structural defects, although the exact cause had yet to be officially determined as of press time.

Rescue workers have recovered the lifeless body of an unidentified victim from the rubble, while efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue others believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

Emergency response teams drawn from the Rivers State Government, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies were deployed to the scene shortly after the incident.

A survivor identified simply as Taiwo disclosed that at least seven workers were trapped when the building suddenly gave way.

“This morning, I went out to buy something. About eight people were working inside, and they said some of them are Hausa people. One of my brothers was inside. Four of them were brought out, but other people are still trapped,” he said.

Officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, the Ministry of Health, security agencies, and emergency responders were seen coordinating rescue efforts at the site.

Speaking at the scene, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and Director of Medical Services, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said emergency teams were mobilised immediately after receiving reports of the collapse.

“We are here on Peter Odili Road following disturbing news this morning that a three-storey building collapsed around here. We quickly mobilised ambulance teams and medical personnel to support rescue operations,” he said.

According to him, two severely injured victims had already been rescued and transferred to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) for urgent medical attention.

“We have activated the Hospital Emergency Medical Services, and the Emergency Unit of RSUTH is fully prepared. NEMA, FRSC, NSCDC and other security agencies are all on ground. All hands are on deck to ensure those still trapped are rescued,” Wachukwu added.

Rescue operations were still ongoing at the time of filing this report as authorities worked to determine the number of victims and the cause of the collapse.

The post One Feared Dead, Several Trapped as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Port Harcourt appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday during the conclusion of the “Operation Zero Tolerance” special patrol campaign, FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed highlighted the dangers associated with this hazardous practice.

“Out of the total fatalities recorded in 2024, 411 deaths, representing 7.6% of the total, were not caused primarily by crashes but by the dangerous act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers,” Mr. Mohammed stated.

He emphasized that the trend poses a significant safety risk and remains a major contributor to avoidable fatalities. The recent explosion in Niger State, which claimed the lives of at least 98 people attempting to collect spilled fuel, is one of many such incidents.

While the FRSC recorded a 10% reduction in road traffic crashes in 2024, with 9,570 incidents compared to 10,617 in 2023, the number of fatalities increased by 7%. A total of 5,421 deaths were recorded, up from 5,081 in the previous year.

The corps marshal attributed the rise in fatalities to human factors such as reckless driving, overloading, and driver fatigue. He also identified Plateau, Abia, Kaduna, Kwara, and Ondo States as hotspots for major crashes, with the most devastating accident occurring in Jebba, Kwara State, where 30 people lost their lives.

Mr. Mohammed urged Nigerians to prioritize safety and avoid risky behaviors, especially involving fallen tankers. “Scooping fuel from tanker accidents is a ticking time bomb. The loss of lives is entirely preventable with greater public awareness and adherence to safety protocols,” he said.

The FRSC reiterated its commitment to enforcing road safety regulations, reducing road traffic crashes, and sensitizing the public on the dangers of unsafe practices like fuel scooping.

The post FRSC Records 411 Deaths Linked to Fuel Scooping in 2024 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

By Ajayi Taiwo Adeola

Dangote Cement Plc has graduated 50 special truck drivers, including 10 women, from its articulated driving school in Obajana, Kogi State. The three-month training program was designed to improve the safety of truck drivers and reduce the number of road accidents in Nigeria.

The training covered a variety of topics, including defensive driving, truck handling, maintenance technology, and road signs and codes. The graduates also received practical experience through a six-month attachment program.

Ajay Singh, the divisional director of Dangote Cement, said that the company has zero tolerance for road accidents. He expressed confidence that the graduates will use their skills to help make Nigeria’s roads safer.

Mukhtar Uranus, a deputy road commandant with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said that the agency played a significant role in the training of the drivers. He said that the FRSC taught the drivers about defensive driving, road signs, and the responsibilities of a driver.

Jacques Van Heerden, a representative of Fantique Driving Centre in South Africa, said that the graduates were trained on the latest defensive driving techniques. He said that if the drivers follow the lessons they learned, they will help to reduce the number of road accidents in Nigeria.

Ajayi Kehinde Daniel, who spoke on behalf of the graduates, said that they were committed to driving safely. He said that they had learned about the causes of road accidents and how to avoid them.

The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives from Dangote Cement, the FRSC, and Fantique Driving Centre. The graduates were presented with certificates of completion and were congratulated on their achievements.

The graduation of these 50 special truck drivers is a positive step towards making Nigeria’s roads safer. The training they receive will help them to be more aware of the risks on the road and to drive more safely. I hope that these drivers will set a good example for other truck drivers in Nigeria and help to reduce the number of road accidents in the country.

Read Also: We are ready to reduce price of cement – BUA CEMENT

Source: Africa Housing News

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