The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has said that his heart bled for the large number of casualties in the recent building collapse in Lagos.
In a statement he signed today, Saturday, the Aare Onakakamnfo said: “My heart bleeds at the number of casualties, and the sorrow I feel now is overwhelming, seeing the ways they were being evacuated from the rubbles of the building.
“We cannot continue to experience all these happenings in Lagos State.
“Cases of building collapse should be addressed holistically to forestall future occurrences.
“At the same time, there is the need for the state government to address the issue of building collapse urgently in the state.
“It is becoming too frequent.
“There should be standard in what we do as a people.
“That is how it is done in other climes.
“Many of the buildings in Lagos, particularly on the Island, are old and dilapidated.
“Meanwhile, those contractors building the new ones, most times, use substandard materials and nobody blinks an eye.”
Adams also expressed concern over the standard of education in the state, saying private schools located in residential apartments cannot be of any quality standard.
“Of what standard are schools located in residential apartments?”
Adams urged the state government to step up its activities in building low cost and affordable houses for Lagosians so that residents can live comfortably rather than living in buildings that can collapse anytime.
“The government must also ensure that private schools in the state are duly registered and that they are located in a befitting and conducive environments.”
