In Nigeria, recent cases of building collapses have become a growing concern, leading many to call for stricter safety measures. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has publicly spoken out, urging the government to hold irresponsible builders accountable and prioritize safety in construction.
This concern follows a recent incident in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, where a building tragically collapsed, trapping around 40 people. Expressing his frustration on his official social media platform, Obi described the frequent building failures as “deeply troubling” and said it’s an issue that needs urgent national attention.
Obi stressed that it’s time to address these tragic collapses seriously, not just by rescuing victims, but by going after the builders and developers responsible. He called on the government to ensure a thorough rescue operation for the affected individuals and to take real action against those who compromise safety standards.
The call to hold negligent builders accountable comes as citizens increasingly demand better enforcement of building codes and regulations to protect lives. Obi’s stance highlights a pressing issue in Nigeria’s construction industry and calls for change that could prevent further tragedies.
The post reads, “The frequency of building collapse in the country has become very disturbing and worrisome and calls for national attention. The latest distressing reports of the building collapse in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, yesterday, which left about 40 persons trapped in the rubble, is just one of the many such incidents.
“I learned that residents and emergency workers were already on the ground since the incident occurred yesterday, helping with first response and rescue efforts. I urge the government to intensify efforts and ensure the safe and complete rescue of all the affected victims.
“Beyond the rescue efforts, the relevant agencies need to investigate extensively into the factors surrounding the building collapse, to forestall future occurrences.
“Specifically, we need to review and reinforce our building codes and regulations and ensure that there is strict enforcement of rules and regulations all over the country.
“There is need to arrest and prosecute all erring builders, engineers and supervisors whose negligence leads to building collapses. My heart goes out to all our brothers and sisters who were trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building. I pray that every one of them is safely rescued and reunited back to their families.”
