The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-storey hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja on Friday, April 4.
The Minister also announced that government would seize the land for public use.
The building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.
The minister who visited the site on April 7, said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.
Wike confirmed that though no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital, warning that the outcome could have been far worse.
Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, adding that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The FCT Minister informed that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.
