Below is a press release by Ohaneze Ndigbo South West Office, decrying the rising trend of buildings collapsing in Nigeria.
According to the group, “building collapses recorded in Nigeria are all avoidable incidents, unlike
other countries where the root cause are majorly natural disaster.”
That’s a damning indictment.
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLICITY SECRETARY OHANAEZE NDI-IGBO SOUTHWEST
27/03/2019.
PRESS RELEASE.The rate of building collapse recently in Nigeria is alarming. It therefore calls for urgent intervention by stakeholders in the field, in order to avert further lost of lives and properties. All building collapse recorded in Nigeria are all avoidable incidents, unlike other countries where the root cause are majorly natural disaster. These tragic occurrences are either caused by the use of substandard building materials, lack of maintenance culture, expired structures and employment of the services of quacks in building profession.
It is therefore important and urgent that the federal and state government respectively should set up special task force to monitor compliance of standard set for building in each region. This task force should also fish out structures due for renovation or demolition across the states. A law stipulating stiff punishment for owners of such structures and builders should be enacted as soon as possible.
National Orientation Agency, the Press and other media practitioners should educate the masses on the need for all to rise up against this menace. A toll free number should be provided by National Emergency Management Agency for people to call and report builders who use substandard materials, buildings due for renovation or demolition.
Nigeria has lost more than enough of her citizens to insurgency and clash between farmers and herders. Further reduction of our population and destruction of properties by building collapse is unacceptable and should be resisted by all.
I wish also to console the families of the victims of building collapse in Nigeria. May God grant you the fortitude to bear this avoidable loss and may the souls of these victims find eternal rest amen.
Signed;
Prince Erondu Uche.
Spokesman for Ohanaeze Southwest.
