Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has directed a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a hostel building at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Nwifuru expressed concern over the growing trend of building collapses across the country, blaming it largely on human error, substandard construction practices, and failure to comply with building regulations.
“It is disheartening to learn about building collapse in this era when we have skilled manpower and well-established professional standards,” the governor said.
He stressed the urgent need for stricter oversight and called on relevant agencies to enhance monitoring from the foundation stage to the completion of all construction projects.
“I have directed the Ministry of Capital City Development to ensure that no developer proceeds with a building project without proper approval. The lives of our people are too valuable to be compromised,” he stated.
Governor Nwifuru also called on professional bodies like the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Building to take greater responsibility in preventing such tragedies, noting that their integrity is on the line.
He assured the public that anyone found culpable in the incident will face the full weight of the law and urged developers to always engage qualified professionals to ensure structural safety and compliance.
Leave a comment