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The Rivers State Government has ordered the evacuation of occupants from an ageing two-storey building in Port Harcourt following a partial structural failure that left four people injured.
The incident occurred on Friday evening at No. 18 Club Road in the Old Port Harcourt Township, when part of the building’s second-floor parapet reportedly broke away and crashed onto the ground floor, where people were gathered at a bar. The victims were taken to hospital for treatment, with no fatalities reported.
Following the incident, the state Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning cordoned off the property and directed residents to leave immediately to prevent further casualties. The ministry’s Press Secretary, Isabella Ibim, confirmed that the commissioner, Amairigha Edward Hart, visited the location and ordered the evacuation after inspecting the damaged structure.
Ibim explained that the building was believed to be more than 50 years old, raising concerns about the dangers posed by ageing structures that have not received adequate maintenance. She added that the ministry had been identifying old buildings requiring renovation in parts of Port Harcourt, including Diobu and Borikiri, as part of efforts to prevent similar incidents.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that four people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital. The police spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, said an investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The incident has renewed concerns about building safety and the need for regular structural assessments to protect residents and members of the public.
