The Rivers State Government has cordoned off a building estimated to be over 60 years old in the old Port Harcourt Township area after part of the structure collapsed, injuring four persons.
The two-storey building, located at No. 18 Club Road, reportedly shed part of its parapet on Friday around 7pm, with debris falling onto the ground floor, where people were gathered at a bar.
The incident left four persons injured, including a woman who reportedly sustained injuries to her head and ear. No death was recorded.
Following the incident, the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning ordered occupants of the building to vacate the premises over fears that the structure could collapse further.
The ministry’s Press Secretary, Isabella Ibim, confirmed the directive to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, saying the commissioner visited the scene on Saturday and instructed the occupants to leave 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 observed 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 had been conducting sensitisation campaigns and identifying old buildings requiring renovation in Mile 1, Mile 2 and Mile 3 areas of Diobu, Borikiri and other parts of the state.
Ibim said the affected building was cordoned off and marked with red tape on Saturday, while the occupants were directed to vacate.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said part of the parapet fell from the second floor onto the ground floor, where fun seekers were gathered.
“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 sustained injuries to 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 believed its structure was deteriorating.
“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, who visited the scene on Sunday, observed that the debris scattered in front of the building had been cleared, although visible signs of the collapse remained. The occupants had also vacated the premises.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident and the number of injured persons, saying an investigation had been launched.
“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.