Preventing Frequent Building Collapse

Last Friday's building collapse in Kuntau, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, which claimed three lives and injured two others, is just one of a few cases that have been reported this year alone.

The three-storey building under construction in the area, according to the Kano State Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, had caved in early Friday morning, trapping an unspecified number of workers before rescue workers were alerted.

“Five persons were rescued and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Hospital where three of them were confirmed dead, while the remaining two who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment,” Abdullahi said.

The Kano incident is coming about a month after a fivestorey shopping complex, also under construction, on Basden Street, Fegge in Onitsha, Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State, collapsed after a downpour, trapping some of the construction workers on the last floor.

Only three weeks before the Fegge building collapse, a three-storey building had also collapsed in the same Onitsha, claiming the lives of no fewer than six persons at the Odu-Igbo section of the Ochanja Market.

THEWILL recalls that also in February, a three-storey building under renovation in the Binuyo area, off Ita Faaji Market on Lagos Island had caved in during a morning downpour with few of the workers on site escaping unhurt, according to a statement signed by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Magaret Adeseye.

The Federal Capital Territory also had its share of building collapse as a two-storey building in the Garki area of Abuja collapsed last August during a downpour , killing two people and injuring others who were trapped under the rubble.

Substandard materials used in the construction of most of the affected buildings were responsible for most of the incidents, with failure on the part of the regulatory authorities to act when necessary as also a causal factor.

The Building Collapse Prevention

Guild actually listed 2022 as the year with the most building collapses in the country with 62 collapses, even as Lagos State remains the state with the highest number of collapses.

With 20 incidents alone in 2022 and an estimated 315 others between 1974 and July 2022, the Guild listed some of the most recent incidents to include the three-storey building collapse in Yaba; a three-storey building collapse in Ebute-Metta and the three-storey building collapse in the Oniru area of Lekki.

While the Lagos State Government is putting measures in place to stop these unfortunate incidents through effective and efficient mechanisms for building approvals and soil testing through its agencies, corrupt officials who manipulate approvals for financial gain must be shown the way out of the system.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) also needs to step up its game in building materials testing, especially iron rods, to ensure that fake and substandard materials do not flood our markets, just as quacks in the building and construction industry must be exposed.

One of Nigeria's finest columnists, Haroon Aremu, on April 16, 2024, in an epic article opined that amidst the chaos and corruption in Nigeria, there are still those who stand as beacons of hope. These, according to him "are the leaders who, despite facing a myriad of challenges, remain steadfast in their commitment to uplifting the nation and its people. Their unwavering dedication serves as a deep contrast to the rampant greed and self-interest that often circulate the political arena."

The above, no doubt, is a perfect description of the people-centric governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno who, against all odds, has distinguished himself as a leader who feels what the people feel and understands the language of the poor and the rich.

He has severally suspended protocol and the official security boundaries stripped himself of the governorship regalia and stooped low to meet people, interact with them and encourage them. This is only what a servant-leader who is intoxicated with a sense of respect for humanity can do.

Perhaps, this empathetic disposition of Pastor Umo Eno, which has punctuated his government at every point in time, stems from his humble beginning and the character of placing humanity over personal gains, a virtue he has built and sustained over the years. This has, however, earned him the badge of an advocate of the principle of humanism which places the value of humans above materials and objects.

With all sense of modesty, Pastor Eno is a beacon of hope to people of all classes. He has condemned himself to the service of humanity capped with a level of empathy that has never been heard of by a Nigerian politician. Placing humanity at the centre of his administration has undoubtedly given his leadership a human face; where the rich and the poor, the privileged and the downtrodden, elders and the youth, men and women have a stake and sense of belonging.

Everything about Pastor Eno represents humanity, in line with the age-long truth that the essentiality of human existence is service to humanity, a motto amplified by the Rotary Club- Service Above Self. And without mincing words, on completion of his tenure, he will indeed leave behind a legacy of service and selflessness, all for the sake of humanity.

A few weeks after he assumed office, the governor, without prior invitation apart from being moved by

This unarguably has introduced healthy competition to the aviation business which hitherto was monopolised by foreign airlines. In fact, it has crashed airfares which have been deliberately high on that lucrative route by half for the good of Nigerians. This incursion into London is an opener. One can say without fear of contradiction that multinational airlines have exploited Nigerians too much for too long on that route.

The uncommon courage and resilience of Allen Onyema - the chairman and his team to make the aviation sector competitive is praiseworthy. Air Peace has raised the bar and broken the jinx. The company took a leap further the line and opened a new vista of opportunity. Healthy competition has been instituted heralding an era of transparent professional operations and easy access to a new alternative for air travellers in Nigerians.

It was a patriotic and tortuous journey attained specifically to place Nigeria on the global map of serious-minded aviation stakeholders. The joy of having a Nigerian carrier parked side by side with other notable airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways and the rest at international airports cannot be quantified. This in itself is another great feather added to the cap of the aviation industry in Nigeria. Nigerians all over the world are proud of this mean feat. Air Peace has dared to expose decades of decadence, manipulation and exploitation ongoing in the industry before now.

Consequently, other airlines will not watch idly as the carrier remained determined to challenge the status quo, alter the narrative and take the lead. They will fight back as a means of survival. Deploying some under hand tactics backed by their partners in crime in the Nigerian aviation industry, they have concluded plans to frustrate Air Peace. There is already reports that visible pace was denied Air Peace while ground charges are intentionally raised.

A few days ago, Allen raised the alarm over plans by foreign Airlines to crash their air fares. Ethiopian Airline had descended from N1.9 million charged on economy class before now to a little above N600,000 for the same Lagos-Gatwick, while Air Peace charged above N1.4m.

If you are a Nigerian making plans for international travels, it is advised that you do not fall for the antics of low price adjustment by other airlines. By crashing the fares which remained unnecessarily high before now, those affected cannot remain silent. The fare slash by foreign airlines is a business and psychological game. Nigeria can overcome the game by patronising made in Nigeria. For years, empathy when he sighted two coffins in a compound at Ekpene Ukim, in Uruan Local Government Area, branched the venue of the burial. Imagine the shock and surprise on the faces of the people who never dreamt that the number one citizen in the state would be their guest.

To cut a long story short, Uduakobong Effiong, the only child of the deceased, has since been established with a piece of state-of-the-art sewing equipment and shop, courtesy of the governor's benevolence.

HE HAS SEVERALLY SUSPENDED PROTOCOL AND THE OFFICIAL SECURITY BOUNDARIES STRIPPED HIMSELF OF THE GOVERNORSHIP REGALIA AND STOOPED LOW TO MEET PEOPLE, INTERACT WITH THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM

On several occasions, the governor had stopped to buy fruits from women selling at different locations and equally empowered them. That's the kind of leader occupying the Hilltop mansion today. He feels the pains of the people and shares in their joy as well.

Just a few days ago when he returned from an official assignment, he was briefed on the unfortunate incident that befell an Akwa Ibom daughter in the boat mishap that claimed the lives of other Nollywood practitioners during a film production in Anambra State. Moved with compassion over the sad story, he went straight to meet the deceased family at Ikot Udoma, Eket. After consoling the family members, he was moved with compassion when he heard that the deceased 's dream was to see her two siblings who are undergraduates become graduates. The governor gave scholarship to the two siblings, offered automatic employment to the elder sister and gave orders for the building of a befitting home for the parents.

Yesterday, the governor’s devotion to the promotion of human welfare moved his milk of kindness, which never runs dry, to flow to the path of a gardener who had served at Government House for over 30 years.

The governor, who consistently rewards diligent service, gave the man's son automatic employment. Also in appreciation of the staff and security team at the complex, the governor donated a special welfare allowance of N10 Million to all the staff on duty and commended them for their hard work and contributions to the bureaucracy and the security of the State.

With every sense of humility and decency, Governor Eno has honestly demystified leadership and the position of the governor by still relating with the people and humbling himself to the barest minimum at every given opportunity.

As the saying goes, "Charity begins at home", this summarises the reason why Pastor Eno came back to Akwa Ibom to start a business instead of staying in Lagos where he grew up. It was a strong desire to help the Akwa Ibom people that made him relocate to the state and started with just 5 rooms, and grew consistently to the conglomerate that we see today.

Since the scripture has affirmed that he who is faithful in little, much shall be given to him, heaven smiled on Pastor Umo Eno during the 2023 governorship election and the good people of Akwa Ibom state massively voted him as governor.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com these airlines have practically made it impossible for many Nigerians to travel abroad due to their exorbitant fares.

Nigerians were paying double of what Air Peace is charging, compared to what foreign airlines charged for the same destination even when their flights were not direct. They have operated without any recourse to downwardly review their fares until Air Peace compelled them to do so. It will be quite unfair and irrational for Nigerians to abandon their own and travel by other airlines just because their price is now lower than that of Air peace.

Most foreign airlines are financially and diplomatically backed up by their home governments. The government is therefore needed at this crucial time to stand in the gap and insulate Air Peace from hostile competitors and unprofessional practices. Government and well-meaning Nigerians should not let these efforts aimed at placing Nigeria on the global map of aviation stakeholders go down the drain like others in times past. The Nigerian Government should not see this as Allen's business only. It has transcended beyond him as an individual.

THE AIRLINE HAS MADE NIGERIA PROUD AND SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR ITS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND PATRIOTISM BY PROVIDING A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE CONSTANTLY FACING TRAVELERS ON THE LAGOSLONDON ROUTE

Therefore, diplomatic and aviationbusiness support to sustain the tempo should be activated. Ministries of aviation, foreign affairs, trade and investment should step up action aimed at grabbing a level playing field to ensure that 'Ojochide' did not die like others before it. Moreover, for Air Peace to survive this gang-up against it, the government should think of tax reductions, subsidise aviation fuel and apply waivers. Air Peace has to up their game to remain relevant. They should inculcate the necessary international best practices to survive. Delay of flights without apologies, refunds and compensation should not be an option. The airline can as well provide special discounted offers to lift travellers intending to travel to London from local airports in the country and directly connect them to Lagos. This is what other international airlines cannot do.

*Continues online at www. thewillnews.com

Nigeria’s rising headline inflation rate has been driven by high cost of food. This has been the trend for a long time now, culminating in the latest inflation surge of 33.2 percent in March 2024, up from 31.7 percent as of February.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) maintains that the surge in food inflation continues to challenge the economy with firms shutting down over high operation costs while households experience steep drop in living standard spiked by high cost of living.

The NBS also explained that worsening insecurity across the country, especially in the North whichs the nation’s food basket, is behind the high cost of food. It noted that the mass food producing areas of the North have been under the siege of insecurity in the past nine years.

In states like Niger, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Katsina, Taraba and others, the farming communities have deserted their farm lands where they were displaced by bandits, herdsmen, terrorists and kidnappers; and are now living in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

Unfortunately, there are no signs that the ugly trend is likely to improve in 2024 given the continued spate of killings and abductions in the North since the beginning of the Bola Tinubuled government in May 2023.

An added dimension to the sad situation is the insecurity and high cost of transporting food items from the North to other parts of the country, especially the South. Recently, there are cases of youth attacking trucks carrying food items and looting their cargoes.

Additionally, extortion, multiple levies and taxes created by security personnel, state and local government

The Senate’s probe of N30 trillion Ways and Means loan obtained by the Muhammadu Buhari

Administration from the Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) has snowballed into eight weeks, against the scheduled four weeks deadline for a report.

ABThe Senate had on February 27, 2024 constituted a nine-member ad-hoc committee to probe the disbursement and usage of the humongous N30 trillion Ways and Means loan and to submit report back in four weeks.

The Senate’s action followed public outcry over the detrimental impact of the obviously mismanaged Ways and Means facility on the economy, setting the pace for runaway inflation, which has created severe economic challenges for the people.

Inflation rate surged to an unprecedented 33.2 percent in March 2024, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. Government places the high inflation rate at the door steps of the Buhari contrived N30 trillion Ways and Means.

According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun, the N22.7 trillion printed by the Central Bank of Nigeria through Ways and Means overdraft under former President Muhammadu ignited the economic troubles.

Edun, who stated this while briefing the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja, noted that during the period, the printing of naira in trillions was carried out without any corresponding productive activities.

He said, “We talked about inflation, and you have helped to solve that. Where has it come from? It came from the eight years of just printing money not matched by productivity. It’s not like when you earn dollars and you free it.”

While constituting the ad-hoc probe committee, the Senate further reiterated that the alleged reckless spending of the overdraft collected from the CBN under Buhari largely accounted for the food and security

CDEFGcrises facing the country.

HIJABCDEThe Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibirin, who presided over the plenary, said:

“According to statistics, broad money supply, which is a key parameter for key inflationary trends, increased from N78.3 to 78.4 trillion in 2023. The highest ever recorded in Nigeria.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Ways and Means which provides direct lending to the federal government of Nigeria caused unprecedented liquidity in the economy and the current inflationary pressure that we are experiencing.

“The financial obligation to the CBN now stands at N30 trillion. The inability to repay this temporary accommodation by the federal government of Nigeria led to the regularisation of a 40-year loan at 9 per cent interest per annum.”

The Red Chamber therefore resolved to set up the ad-hoc committee, to investigate the overdraft because the details of the spending were not made available to the National Assembly.

Political and financial experts who spoke to THEWILL expressed skepticism over the Senate’s ability and willingness to pursue the probe to a logical end. They cited several probe cases embarked upon by the Upper Legislative Chamber in the past which failed to yield the expected result. The latest was the probe of the over N11 trillion spent in the repair of Nigeria’s moribund refineries.

The Senate is yet to publish the report of its special committee constituted on October 24, 2023 to investigate all the contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of all state-owned refineries said to have gulped N11.35