Deadly canopy collapse at new state assembly complex sparks urgent safety investigation
A catastrophic structural failure at the under-construction Gombe State House of Assembly Complex has claimed one life and left seven workers injured, prompting Governor Inuwa Yahaya to order an emergency investigation.
The incident occurred Friday morning when a section of the cantilevered entrance canopy collapsed, trapping eight workers beneath the debris.
“The situation is deeply regrettable,” said Permanent Secretary Danladi Adamu of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation. “Seven workers sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals. Five are receiving treatment at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, while two others are at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. Tragically, we lost one life.”
GOVERNOR’S SWIFT RESPONSE
Governor Yahaya, who was immediately briefed on the disaster, has:
· Ordered comprehensive medical care for all injured workers at government expense
· Demanded a formal incident report from the contractor within 24 hours
· Directed safety and accountability procedures from all relevant agencies
· Called for a preliminary investigation followed by a full technical report
“The governor expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased,” Adamu confirmed, quoting Yahaya as saying that “appropriate measures will be taken in line with the investigation’s outcome and applicable standards.”
SAFETY UNDER SCRUTINY
The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to “strict compliance with safety, quality and engineering standards” across all public infrastructure projects.
The collapse has raised fresh concerns about construction safety protocols on government projects across the state.
