A tragic accident has claimed the life of a construction worker and left seven others injured following the collapse of a section of the new Gombe State House of Assembly Complex currently under construction.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved a portion of the cantilevered entrance canopy of the multi-million-naira project, prompting Governor Inuwa Yahaya to order an immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse.
Confirming the development in a statement issued in Gombe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation, Mr. Danladi Adamu, described the incident as unfortunate and expressed sympathy for those affected.
According to Adamu, eight workers were involved in the accident. Seven sustained varying degrees of injuries and were swiftly evacuated to medical facilities for treatment, while one worker sadly lost his life.
He disclosed that five of the injured workers are receiving treatment at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, while two others are being managed at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
“The incident involved eight workers. Seven sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated for medical attention. Regrettably, one life was lost,” Adamu stated.
The permanent secretary said Governor Yahaya had been fully briefed on the incident and had conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased worker.
He added that the governor directed that all injured workers receive comprehensive medical care at the expense of the state government, assuring that no effort would be spared in supporting the victims.
As part of efforts to establish the cause of the collapse and prevent a recurrence, Yahaya ordered the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation, alongside relevant emergency response, regulatory and technical agencies, to immediately activate safety and accountability procedures.
The governor also directed the project contractor and consultant to submit a Formal Incident Report (FIR) within 24 hours, detailing the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
According to Adamu, the FIR will be followed by a Preliminary Investigation Report and subsequently a comprehensive technical report containing findings, recommendations and any necessary corrective measures.
Yahaya was quoted as assuring residents that appropriate actions would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and in accordance with established engineering and safety standards.
The governor further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enforcing strict compliance with safety regulations, quality assurance measures and professional engineering standards in the execution of all public infrastructure projects across the state.
The incident has raised concerns over construction safety practices, with stakeholders awaiting the outcome of the investigation to determine the factors responsible for the collapse and ensure accountability.
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