The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), an environmental rights and good governance advocacy organization, has expressed concern over the recent props failure reported at a section of the ongoing Ekeoha Market construction project in Aba, Abia State, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
While commending the Abia State Government for its swift response in establishing an Independent Investigation Committee (IIC) through the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), FENRAD calls for a transparent, credible, and professionally executed investigation into the incident.
FENRAD emphasizes that public infrastructure projects must comply strictly with safety, labour, and environmental standards. Any incident involving construction failure—however minor—raises serious concerns about safety compliance, project supervision, and quality assurance.
The organization therefore calls on the investigation committee, which includes representatives from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB), and Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), to conduct a thorough, evidence-based, and independent inquiry into the cause of the incident.
In addition, FENRAD urges the committee to properly investigate reports alleging that lives may have been lost in the incident. If confirmed, the families of any victims must be identified, and adequate compensation and support should be provided by all responsible parties. Such action would reflect a genuine commitment to justice, accountability, and human dignity.
FENRAD further calls on GADA and all relevant regulatory and safety enforcement agencies to strengthen monitoring and compliance mechanisms for all ongoing public projects in the Greater Aba area, ensuring that construction practices meet approved safety and structural standards.
The Foundation remains committed to promoting safe, sustainable, and accountable urban development in Abia State and across Nigeria, while standing firmly for environmental justice, workers’ safety, and human rights.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD)
Email: info@fenrad.org.ng | Phone: +234 (0)8033383708, 07062949232
Email info@fenrad.org.ng
Info.fenradnigeria@gmail.com
