In a devastating incident on Ajao Street, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, two innocent children lost their lives when a building collapsed on a rainy Saturday morning. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the catastrophe, pointing to heavy downpour as a contributing factor, which caused a neighboring house’s fence to fall onto the ill-fated building, tragically trapping the young victims.
Disturbingly, NEMA’s Coordinator in the South-West, Ibrahim Farinloye, revealed that distress calls were inadequately handled, leading to a delayed response and ultimately failing to save the lives of the children. The agency extended its condolences to the grieving parents, but the tragedy has raised significant concerns about the government’s response and preparedness in such emergencies.
“The children aged nine and seven were trapped when the fence from the neighbouring house fell on their building during the day’s heavy downpour,” NEMA Coordinator in the South-West, Ibrahim Farinloye, said in a statement.
This latest building collapse incident has further fueled public outrage over the alarming frequency of such occurrences within Lagos State’s jurisdiction. The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) promptly visited the scene, drawing attention to the government’s awareness of the problem, but critics question the effectiveness of their actions in preventing such disasters.
The spotlight now shines on the Lagos State government as blame is laid at its doorstep for the recurring menace of building collapses. Questions are being raised about the efficacy of building approval processes, the enforcement of building codes, and the supervision of construction activities. Experts emphasize that more stringent measures are urgently needed to rein in unprofessional property developers and ensure public safety.
Kenneth Nduka, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, expressed grave concerns about the government’s failure to hold those responsible for building collapses accountable. Without proper consequences for negligent actors, there is little deterrent against such reckless practices that jeopardize innocent lives.
As the heartbroken families mourn their irreparable losses, calls for action are growing louder. The Lagos State government is now urged to take decisive steps to enforce stricter building regulations, conduct thorough inspections during construction, and hold those involved in substandard practices accountable through the justice system.
In addition to regulatory measures, public awareness campaigns must be intensified to stress the importance of adhering to building codes and the potential consequences of compromising on safety during construction. A culture of responsibility and accountability needs to be instilled within the construction industry and among all stakeholders involved in building processes.
Urgent attention must also be given to improving emergency response mechanisms. Proper channels for distress calls should be established to ensure swift and efficient actions during emergencies, potentially preventing further loss of lives.
In these trying times, the unity of government agencies, construction professionals, and the public is crucial. Only through a collaborative effort can Lagos State effectively address the root causes of building collapses and work towards safeguarding its residents and visitors from such avoidable tragedies. Failure to act promptly and decisively may have long-lasting repercussions on the government’s reputation and the public’s trust in its ability to ensure public safety.
