By Nkechi Ewa-Okpara
Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a hostel building at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI).
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, the Governor expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that most cases of building collapse are often caused by human error and non-compliance with building regulations a development he described as a grave threat to human life.
“It is disheartening to learn about building collapse in this era when we have skilled manpower and well-established professional standards,” the Governor lamented.
Governor Nwifuru attributed the frequent incidents of structural failure across the country to poor construction practices and the flagrant disregard for building codes. He charged relevant agencies and professional bodies to intensify their oversight, ensuring strict monitoring and supervision of projects from foundation to completion.
“I have directed the Ministry of Capital City Development to ensure that no developer embarks on any building project without obtaining proper approval. The lives of our people are precious and cannot be compromised under any guise,” he stated.
The Governor also called on professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), and other regulatory agencies to rise to their responsibilities, reminding them that their credibility is on the line.
“Their integrity is at stake. They must act decisively to ensure that building collapse becomes a thing of the past in this country,” he warned.
He assured the public that any individual or group found culpable after the investigation would face the full weight of the law, and he advised developers to always engage certified professionals when undertaking construction projects.