Wike visits scene of Abuja building collapse

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has visited the scene of a building collapse in the Garki District of Abuja.

The three-storey building in the Garki Area of Abuja collapsed, following a downpour that began at about 11:30 pm on Wednesday.

Addressing journalists at the incident scene on Thursday, Wike reiterated his earlier comment that buildings without proper approval within the nation’s capital would be pulled down.

He said, "Let me thank the agencies, particularly NEMA and FEMA that have supported us to rescue not less than 32 lives. It is unfortunate the two that are dead. I will discuss with the Permanent Secretary, to make sure that funds are raised to pay the hospital bills of those who are rescued.

"We don't want to hear that any other person has passed on, and that should be done immediately.

"These are the things we have been saying nobody knows whose turn it will be. And therefore it is important that when government says it will take action on certain areas that we believe are illegal development, or even buildings that do not comply with thestandard codes, it is not as if anybody has any personal vendetta. But for God, we would have lost virtually everybody".