By Marcus Ikechukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the rate at which buildings collapse in the country, stressing that the situation was assuming an embarrassing dimension.
Buhari while commiserating with families of those who died, sustained injuries, in the building collapse at Ebute Metta area of Lagos State, said it is high time the relevant state authorities work closely with professional bodies to put a halt to these unfortunate but preventable incidents.
His reactions came through a statement issued by his media aide, Femi Adesina to State House Correspondents on Monday in Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, there was still search and rescue efforts at the site.
The President, who said he was pained by this tragic incident, praised the courage and determination of the first responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies in Lagos State, and compassionate Nigerians, whose immediate action in the aftermath of the collapse of the three-storey building led to the rescue of several persons, including many children.
“The frequency of building collapses in the country has become increasingly embarrassing, the relevant state authorities must work closely with professional bodies to put a halt to these unfortunate but preventable incidents,” the President stated in a terse message.
He wished those injured a speedy recovery and prays for divine assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Recall that in Lagos also, a high rise apartment building under construction at Victoria Island had also collapsed killing several people in the process, including the owner of the building, Femi Osibona.
