The Collapsed Building in Lagos
On Wednesday 13 March 2019, it was heartbreaking to read about another building collapse in Lagos. Men were tucked under the rubbles, women were struck in hole and buried alive and children were thumped by the submerged concrete.
As at the time of writing, 18 people have lost their lives and about 44 injured. A family lost three kids in the unfortunate incident. Another woman reportedly committed suicide after losing two children.
The collapsed building brings to mind the September 12th, 2014 incidence where a six-storey guest house belonging to the Synagogue Church of all Nations collapsed, killing over 100 people. A boy born then would be celebrating his 5th birthday in few month’s time, but little has been done since then. What reigns supreme is the unmistakable sound of bureaucrats and other stakeholders passing the buck.
Despite the fact that some buildings have been marked as unsafe for living, people still live in them. When you ask them, they say it’s because of “poverty’’. Is it not better to be alive and have hope of getting out of poverty than live in a precarious building that can collapse anytime?
The collapse was made worse by the presence of schools in the building. The approval of the dilapidated buildings for school confirmed the wishy-washy way of doing things and explains partly why the education sector is failing.
How many more lives of our loved ones, friends and neighbours will be lost before this very problem is corrected? How many dreams would be shattered before the crooked developers are apprehended? How many limbs would be crushed before the law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies will put an end to sharp practices?
How many innocent lives will be stopped before decisive actions are taken against those found culpable of breaching building standards?
I look on with concern and I ask: Would this happen if the government agencies and regulatory bodies played their role? Would this happen if the building experts were strict in adherence to quality materials? Would this happen if the right design structure was in place?
Would this happen if structurally defective buildings had been sealed? Would this happen if buildings are legally constructed with professional engineering protocols? Would this happen if owners are responsible and are concerned about their building?
Would this happen if individuals shun greediness? Would it happen if the crooked developers built and developed with feelings? Would it happen if landlords consider safety rather than their pockets? The stakeholders have woven together threads of conspiracy that could only be unknotted by the willing government.
The first step is the signing of the national building code into law. Until this is done the prey will continue to saunter in the presence of an eagle.
We have always been reactive instead of being proactive; the wellbeing and safety of the citizens is inextricably linked to governance. I urge the Lagos State government to take sequence of immediate actions to forestall further incidence.
For most of us, we are happy seeing our children buzz like a bee, for others they have to go to the cemetery and have their heart tortured for life. How pathetic? Life is precious when alive but there is no future or dream in the grave. –– Olusanya Anjorin, Lagos.