Julius Berger, Stakeholders Intensify Rescue Operations After Port Harcourt Building Collapse

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, emergency agencies and other stakeholders have intensified rescue operations following the collapse of a five-storey building under construction on Peter Odili Road near Eterna Filling Station in Port Harcourt.

The building, which caved in around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, trapped an unspecified number of construction workers beneath the rubble, sparking frantic rescue efforts by emergency responders, security agencies and residents.

The incident came barely 24 hours after another building collapsed in Port Harcourt, raising fresh concerns over construction safety, regulatory compliance and the enforcement of building standards in Rivers State.

Eyewitnesses said several labourers were working inside the building when it suddenly gave way. Initial reports indicated that at least seven workers were trapped beneath the debris.

Rescue teams swung into action immediately after the collapse, with residents joining security personnel and emergency responders in efforts to reach those trapped. By Wednesday evening, three victims had been rescued alive, while the search continued for others believed to be buried under the wreckage.

To bolster the operation, Julius Berger deployed heavy-duty construction equipment and specialised machinery to the scene.

The company brought in excavators, mobile cranes, wheel loaders and dump trucks to clear the massive piles of rubble and create access routes for rescue teams.

It also provided hydraulic breakers, concrete cutters, lighting equipment and power generators to ensure rescue operations continued without interruption, including through the night.

Safety gear was equally supplied to personnel working at the site to protect them as they navigated the unstable remains of the collapsed structure.

The deployment of the specialised equipment significantly improved access to difficult sections of the building, enabling rescue teams to comb areas that would otherwise have been inaccessible and improving the chances of finding survivors.

Officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development were also at the scene, coordinating rescue efforts alongside the police and other security agencies.

Authorities said the cause of the collapse had yet to be established, adding that a full-scale investigation would be carried out to determine what led to the incident.

Speaking on the company’s intervention, Julius Berger’s Regional Manager for the South-South, Engr. Rimon Marisho, said the company remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at saving lives and protecting communities.

He said, “At Julius Berger, we believe there are limitless opportunities for the company, the community and the country to make tangible progress. This belief compels us to save lives and property by actively participating in rescue operations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.”

As of Thursday, rescue operations were still ongoing, with Julius Berger, emergency agencies and other stakeholders maintaining coordinated efforts to locate any remaining victims trapped beneath the rubble.

The latest collapse has again brought to the fore growing concerns over the safety of construction projects in Port Harcourt, with stakeholders calling for stricter enforcement of building regulations, improved supervision of construction sites and stronger regulatory oversight to prevent a recurrence.