The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has voiced its frustration over the tragic loss of lives in the recent Plateau State school collapse, emphasizing that the disaster was entirely preventable. NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar, who visited the scene two days after the incident, highlighted the critical need for professional oversight in building projects to prevent such calamities.
What They Are Saying
In a blunt statement, Umar lamented the failure to engage qualified professionals in construction, which she said could have averted the horrific loss of life at the secondary school. “I decided to come myself because it is such a huge and avoidable loss. It is something that could have been totally avoidable,” Umar stated, underscoring the negligence that led to the disaster.
The call for adherence to building codes and regulations is not new, but Friday’s tragic incident underscores the deadly consequences of ignoring these standards. With 22 confirmed dead and 132 injured, the collapse of the school in Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area, is the latest in a series of preventable building failures across Nigeria.
The Plateau State Government confirmed the harrowing statistics, with Governor Caleb Mutfwang ordering the closure of the school and issuing a stern warning to proprietors to prioritize the safety of children, parents, and teachers. Mutfwang, who visited the site, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
Director General Umar echoed the governor’s sentiments, offering heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. “We are here to commiserate with you and to also pray that the young lives we have lost will rest in perfect peace, and for those in the hospital, may God heal them. We pray that this will not happen again,” she said.
Umar also praised the prompt response of the Nigeria Red Cross, the Fire Services, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local volunteers, whose swift action undoubtedly prevented an even greater tragedy.
Why It Matters
The avoidable nature of this disaster raises a pressing question: When will Nigeria’s building standards be taken seriously? As the death toll from shoddy construction practices continues to rise, the call for stringent enforcement of building codes grows ever louder.
Bottom Line
This latest tragedy serves as a huge reminder of the cost of negligence and the urgent need for change. It is not enough to express condolences after the fact. Real, preventive action must be taken to ensure such a disaster never occurs again.
