The Rivers State Government has sealed off a two-storey building in the old Port Harcourt Township after part of the structure collapsed, leaving four persons injured.
The incident occurred around 7pm on Friday at No. 18 Club Road, where a section of the building’s parapet reportedly broke off and crashed onto the ground floor, where people were gathered at a bar.
Among the injured was a woman who sustained injuries to her head and ear. No fatalities were reported.
Following the incident, the state Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning directed the occupants to vacate the premises over fears that other sections of the building could collapse.
The ministry’s Press Secretary, Isabella Ibim, confirmed the development, saying the commissioner visited the scene on Saturday and ordered the occupants to leave for their safety.
Ibim said the commissioner, during an assessment of the property, observed that only part of the structure had collapsed and expressed relief that no life was lost.
She added that the building was suspected to be more than 50 years old, although residents familiar with the property estimated its age at over 60 years.
The ministry’s spokesperson also disclosed that the government had been identifying ageing buildings requiring renovation and sensitising residents about the dangers of living in structurally weak properties.
According to her, the exercise covers Mile 1, Mile 2, and Mile 3 in Diobu, Borikiri, and other parts of the state.
She said the affected property was marked with red tape and cordoned off on Saturday, while the occupants were instructed to vacate.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, said the parapet fell without warning while customers were relaxing at the bar on the ground floor.
“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,” he said.
The eyewitness described the building as an ageing structure whose condition appeared to have deteriorated over the years.
He said he had known the property since childhood and questioned whether it had undergone any major renovation.
When visited on Sunday, the scene had been cleared of fallen debris, although visible signs of the collapse remained. The occupants had also left the building following the government’s directive.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed that four persons were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the building had been cordoned off and an investigation launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The collapse has drawn attention to concerns over the safety of old buildings in Port Harcourt, particularly structures that may have weakened over time and pose a danger to occupants and passers-by.
