The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken decisive action following the collapse of a two-storey building in the Jikwoyi area of the FCT on Good Friday, April 3. During an on-the-spot assessment of the wreckage on Tuesday, Minister Wike ordered the immediate arrest of the building's owner and directed that the land be seized by the government.

Investigations revealed that the owner was in advanced stages of constructing a two-storey hotel without obtaining the necessary building plan approval. Furthermore, officials from the Development Control department had previously issued multiple stop-work notices, all of which were ignored by the company. Minister Wike expressed strong disapproval of such blatant disregard for compliance with building laws and regulations, stating, "Despite the lack of formal approval, the company proceeded with construction, leading to the eventual structural failure. There was no approval for the construction of this building. Development Control had issued stop-work notices, but the company ignored the notices and continued regardless."

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, a point for which the Minister expressed gratitude. However, he emphasized that the owner would face arrest and prosecution. Highlighting the administration's commitment to ensuring public safety and adherence to urban planning standards, Minister Wike reiterated that any building constructed without proper approval would be demolished. He stressed the critical importance of obtaining building approvals, as these allow relevant authorities to monitor construction standards, ensure the use of appropriate materials, and supervise the project from start to finish.

Looking ahead, the Minister announced that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project to be built on the reclaimed land. He also directed relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement measures, including the demolition of structures erected without approval, to prevent similar incidents in the future. Minister Wike urged developers to strictly adhere to laid-down procedures to avoid sanctions and called upon the public to report any ongoing construction without approval to the government, promising prosecution for those who fail to comply.