Devtraco Plus Limited, the construction firm in charge of the collapsed building at Roman Ridge in Accra, has clarified that the occurrence was a temporary formwork failure, not a collapse of the building’s permanent structure.

In a statement issued following the disaster on Monday, 28th October, the company explained that “A localised section of temporary formwork supporting freshly poured concrete gave way, resulting in the failure of approximately 50 square metres of wet concrete during the casting of the first-floor podium slab.”

Devtraco assured the public and stakeholders that “There has been no structural failure. The incident was confined to the temporary works (formwork props) used to support the slab during casting. The permanent structure remains unaffected.”

The company emphasised that all works are being carried out strictly in accordance with approved designs and under the supervision of certified and qualified consultants.

Following the incident, project management and safety teams swiftly activated emergency response protocols.

Fourteen workers sustained minor to moderate injuries and were immediately taken to the 37 Military Hospital and the Ridge Hospital for treatment.

Read also: 14 rescued after building collapse at Roman Ridge; victims in critical condition

According to Devtraco, twelve of the injured workers have since been treated and are expected to be discharged, while two remain under medical observation in stable condition.

The affected area has been cordoned off, and a joint investigation involving project consultants, safety officers, and contractors is underway to determine the cause of the failure and implement preventive measures before work resumes.

Devtraco reiterated that “The safety and well-being of all personnel on site remain our foremost priority.”

The company reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and professional integrity throughout the construction process, pledging to deliver a world-class project to its clients and stakeholders.

Management further noted that the company has completed thousands of building projects across the country without any similar incident and, therefore, called on the public not to lose confidence in its operations.