The three-storey building of Harmonai Hotels collapsed because of excavation of column bases and excessive weight, the Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr Umar Shuaibu has revealed.
Viewpoint Housing News reports that Harmonia Hotels, situated on Plot No. 896, Onitsha Crescent, Cadastral Zone A03, Garki, Abuja collapsed early hours of Tuesday. No life was lost in the incident.
The AMMC Coordinator who spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday said investigations so far done by the Development Control Department showed that “the developer had gone beyond the scope of works detailed in the redecoration order issued to him, such as Decommissioning of part of the existing building thus affecting the structural components of the building…”
Shuaibu said the owner of the building excavated column bases “for the erection of unapproved structure”.
He added, the “Sudden crumble of the structure may also signify an overload on the structural members exceeding its ultimate loading capacity as a result of the replacement of building elements that are heavier than the existing ones before operations.”
The director equally pointed at weakened elements and rusting of steel members as a result of plumbing leakages and carbonation as causes of the collapse.
According Shuaibu, the developer hoarded the premises to prevent access and concealed works.
He promised that the developer would be punished for undertaking a major renovation work without seeking approval from the Development Control Department and exceeding the scope of works issued him for minor redecoration.
To forestall recurrence, he said integrity test will be conducted on aged buildings in and around the city metropolis so as to identify buildings that should be reconstructed or rehabilitated.
The subject plot was allocated to Messrs Koloma Nig. Ltd with Certificate of Occupancy No. FCT/ABU/MISC/7550 dated 18/02/1994.
Setting out approval for Harmonia Hotel was given in 2000.
Those living close to the hotel said the property originally belonged to the Late Abubakar Audu, former Kogi State governor, but was sold to an undisclosed person.
The last known incident of building collapse in Abuja was in Jabi District on August 17, 2018, where scores were buried in massive rubble.
