Medical and other relevant personnel were immediately deployed to rescue victims and convey the injured to the hospital.
Following a preliminary investigation into the collapse of the building, the state government in a statement alleged negligence.
The statement read in part, “Preliminary investigation into the cause of the building collapse was not unconnected to negligence and use of substandard building materials which had earlier attracted the attention of the State Ministry of Urban Renewal to issue the builder an advisory ‘Stop Work Notice’, which were altogether ignored by the builder.”
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Eric Anderson, further said in the statement that, “The Government of Cross River State has noted with great concern the unfortunate incident of the two-storey building that collapsed today at Nta Eke Street, along Efio-Ette axis of Ikot Ishie in Calabar Municipality of the state.
“His Excellency, the State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, immediately directed the deployment of relevant ministries and agencies officials to coordinate rescue efforts as well as provide medical support to the injured and security in and around the vicinity of the collapsed 2-Storey building.”
Anderson noted that “Already, a number of persons trapped in the collapsed building have been rescued and have been taken to hospital for proper treatment.
“Government hereby notes and appreciates the quick intervention of the member-elect for Calabar Municipality, Mr Stanley Nsemo, for providing the excavator and emergency relief materials as well as collaborating with the Ministry of Health to ensure that ambulances were on ground to convey affected persons to the hospital.”
The state government assured residents of a full investigation of the incident to avoid a reoccurrence while guaranteeing the safety of lives and property in the state.
