The Nation Newspaper

Tag: buildings

  • Buildings don’t just fall

    It happened again. This time, it almost resulted in the death of a governor. But 200 others reportedly died. The tragedy occurred on December 10 with Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel right inside the Reigners’ Bible Church Int’l in Uyo, the state capital.

    A report said: “The governor was in the church attending the ordination of the church’s Presiding Pastor, Bishop Elect Akan Weeks, when the building gave way a few minutes before offering period.”

    It is unclear what led to the building collapse, but it is clear enough that buildings don’t collapse without a cause. It was reported that “construction works on a section  were rushed because of Saturday’s event.”

    A piercing eyewitness account by a student of the University of Uyo, Department of Communication Arts, Uduak Effiong, said: “I saw over 100 dead bodies. These were the ones close to me. From my estimation, more than 300 people might have died as people came from other churches in all parts of the state, including government-sponsored praise singers with uniforms to attend the programme. For some of us that escaped, we only did by the special grace of God.”

    It is reassuring that the state government said a panel of enquiry would be constituted to find out the immediate and remote causes of the collapse of the church building with an estimated 10,000-seater capacity. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary also said that persons found to have compromised professional standards in the construction of the building would be sanctioned.

    We have been at this juncture many times before. We may yet be at the same juncture many times after this. What happened? Was the building overcrowded because of the governor’s presence?  Is it true that work was rushed to get the building ready for the governor’s attendance?  Who supervised the work?

    There are several other questions that may be asked concerning the disaster and what may have been responsible for it. But at the end of the day, what is more important is that answers are found to the questions, and whoever is blamable gets the deserved penalty.

    It is sad that such a tragic incident happened when people were in a celebratory mood in a celebratory season. Unfortunately, those who died are out of it. But the living can be protected from what appears a cycle of tragedy.

  • 2012 flood: Displaced villagers still live in public buildings in Edo

    Four years after the 2012 flood in Edo State, many displaced persons are still staying in public buildings in the affected local government areas, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Five villages – Daba, Anegbette, Oghomere, Udochi and Ukepeko – all in Etsako Central Local Government Area, were displaced by the flood.

    Also, homes and food crops worth millions of naira were destroyed, forcing the residents to relocate to public buildings.

    Although some have moved out of the camps, many who had no option are still at the temporary camps.

    To relocate such villagers and provide shelter to victims of similar disasters in the future, the Federal Government built a resettlement camp at Oghomere-Ekperi.

    The Coordinator of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Edward Osigbeme, told NAN in Benin, the state capital, that the camp would be completed soon.

    He said the project had reached 90 per cent completion level, adding: “The project will be handed over to the state government in the next few weeks.”

    Osigbeme said some of the facilities at the camp include single rooms, one bedroom apartments, open dormitory, boreholes, stores, relaxation centres and security post.

    The site engineer Lucky Iyamah said the camp had reached 90 per cent completion level.

    Iyamah said: “The camp is almost completed. What is left is not much. The camp will be ready in the next few months.”

    The Egiegbai of Ekperi, Chief Deke Kanoba, who hailed the Federal Government for the project, urged the affected persons to be patient.

    He said the Federal Government was working hard to complete the project.

  • Architects consider high density, vertical buildings for Lagos

    Nigerian architects have been urged to position themselves to address the nation’s challenge.

    Former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), gave the  charge at the just-concluded Lagos Architects’ Forum (LAF 7.0), with the  theme: Evolving architecture. The yearly forum was organised by the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).

    “Architects should provide complete building solutions not just drawings; architecture is much more than designing buildings and then walking away,” he said, even as he charged the Lagos State government to appoint an architect from the public sector to oversee construction processes in the state.

    To this end, architects, under the aegis of their professional body, are calling for an urgent need to create parameters for high density, vertical buildings and establishment of safety factors for development of same in the state. This, they believe, has become expedient given the geographical landscape of the state, which has made land for building a scarce commodity. Such initiative, they agreed, would help in the management and usage of land in the state, as well as reducing the activities of quacks who take advantage of the scarce resource and endanger peoples’ lives.

    Besides, they observed that for the Lagos metropolis to undergo a rapid and dynamic transformation, especially in its quest to be a megacity, there is an urgent need to rethink its real estate development plans by encouraging investment in high density high-rise buildings.

    The President, NIA, Mr. Tonye Braide, while agreeing with Agbakoba’s submissions, revealed that there is a need for indigenous architects to reengineer their approach to the practice of their profession, if they hope to remain relevant locally and internationally.

    Braide observed that there is a global change from the conception of urban space to the treatment of interior details. Besides, with new technologies, which improve environmental comfort and conserve energy, and construction materials, which greatly improve cost, including very low maintenance indices, an architect has to be on his toes always.

    “The demand for architects in the coming years will be enormous. Beyond this will be the demand for specialisations, which will provide a quality assurance programme, better buildings and better cities. We have no option but to institute change and catch up with the world before the world leaves us far behind. We have to act and act fast. We cannot be acclaimed leaders of the building industry and remain totally out of tune with the modern concept of design,” the NIA boss said.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Bayo Dipe, who represented the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the forum, said in line with the state’s policy on wealth creation, the government planned to work with all the relevant building professionals to improve the construction industry. He assured that indigenous professionals will be fully involved in the construction of the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge.

    The Chairman, Lagos Chapter, NIA, Mr. Ladipo Lewis, expressed confidence that the economic activities generated by the state could be harnessed to create better quality buildings, which will lead to a reversal from the losses that usually arise from the development of substandard structures.

    The President, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Alhaji Umaru Aliyu, regretted that the construction industry remained the most bastardised sector, challenging government at all levels to revamp the sector.

  • Security: Uncompleted buildings under surveillance

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will embark on a comprehensive surveillance of all uncompleted buildings in the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that they are not turned into criminals’ breeding grounds and operational bases.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said this while receiving some Christian leaders who visited him.

    Bello said that the administration is concerned about several uncompleted buildings across the Federal Capital City and unidentified persons living in such places, who may pose security risk.

    He noted that his administration has been able to tackle some of the people using the under-bridges as their abode and that the operation would continue until the city is rid of such activities.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister revealed that the administration had earlier spoken to the Muslim community on the unfortunate cases of street begging in some areas of the city and urged the residents to join hands with the FCTA to eradicate the menace.

    Bello disclosed that his administration intends to take the issues of rehabilitation very seriously to give those with such social problem a sense belonging, thereby making them useful to themselves and the entire society.

    He said, “In the 2016 fiscal year, the FCT Administration will upgrade rehabilitation centres for effective skill acquisition to make the rehabilitated persons independent and self-sustaining.”

    Bello reiterated that the FCT Administration also intends take them back to their families for re-absorption into the society after successful rehabilitation.

    According to him, the current FCT Administration will make Abuja friendlier to the populace by making them own all government policies and programmes.

    He added that his administration would encourage religious and moral education in its schools to give re-orientation to the younger generation.

    The FCT Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Israel Akanji who led the delegation appealed to the Minister for land for church groups and for FCT Administration to spare church building where possible.

    Rev. Akanji also asked that the government to re-consider its stance on sponsorship of pilgrims to Israel.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye and other officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister to receive the delegation, which included the Primate of Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh and the Executive Secretary of NCPC, John Kennedy Opara, among others.

     

  • Agency stops work on untested buildings

    To check building collapse, The Lagos State Government yesterday stopped work on some houses which failed to do material testing before the start of the project. Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory General Manager (GM) Mr Rasheed Balogun, said it was imperative to stop the construction to avert danger.

    Balogun, who led an enforcement team round construction sites yesterday, said the government did not want a repeat of the March 8 LekkiGardens building collapse, in which 35 people died.

    The agency, he said, would, henceforth, visit sites daily to ensure that work is done in accordance with the law.

    “We need to keep going to ensure that constructions are done in accordance with the designs and laws regulating building construction in the state. It is necessary for us to do this because we don’t want a repeat of what happened “on March 8,” Balogun said.

    He said property users were expected to inform the agency about their project following which they would submit structural drawings and materials for testing.

    The materials, he said, would be tested to ensure that they meet standard.

    The General manager explained that the law regulating building control has been in existence since 2006, adding that it is cheaper when a property owner complies with than when he is compelled to do so.

    “In the last three months we have been carrying out sensitisation programme. We are on television and radio severally to educate the people on what they need to do, but we observed that people still go ahead with their construction without necessarily doing the needful,”  Balogun said.

    He said the agency is equipped with trained personnel to do the test, stressing that test is conducted on the soil, foundation to finishing level and the materials used for construction.

    Work, the GM said, was stopped on a 12-unit of four floors on Akanro Street near Ilasamaja bus stop in Mushin because the developer did not comply with regulations.

    “We had earlier served an abatement notice on the property owners to come forward and carry out the necessary test but they failed to comply and we have no other choice than to stop work on the property because we cannot ascertain the integrity of the structure,” he said.

    Work was also stopped on a property on alternative Chevron Road on Lekki, a shopping mall in Ikorodu and an estate in Alimosho area of the state.

  • ‘Compensate me over demolished buildings’

    President of Ogun State whose buildings were demolished in the ongoing exercise of urban renewal project of the state, Alhaji Bashiru Akinola Sekoni, has appealed to Governor Amosun to compensate him as he did to other victims of such demolition.

    Alhaji Sekoni accused Governor Amosun of denying him of his right of compensation as he has nobody godfather or anybody in government to plead his case as was done for some of the victims who eventually were compensated.

    Alhaji Sekoni, who apparently has been living in pains since his houses were demolished by the state government, recounts his ordeal to reporters at his residence in Lagos. He said his personal and family houses were among the buildings demolished at Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Odo Oyo, in order to make way for construction of roads.

    He is appealing to the state government to sympathise with him and compensate him with one of the flats built in the community just as it did to other victims of such demolition.

    According to him, Odo Oyo is his ancestral home and he holds many chieftaincy titles in the community and its environs. The titles, he said included Baba Adini of Odo Oyo Mosque, Chairman, Odo Oyo/Igbore Community, Giwa Adini of Igbore, Ekerin Adini of Odo Oyo, Ijeja Abeokuta.

    Denying him of compensation after demolishing his buildings, he said, is like ejecting him and his families from their ancestral home.

    He said the state government assured residents whose properties were marked for demolition that adequate compensation would be paid to them before their houses would be demolished, saying only few of the residents were compensated.

    According to Alhaji Sekoni, several letters have been written to the Governor’s Office concerning the issue without any response.

    He appealed to Governor Amosun to consider his plight and assign one of the flats to him so as not to lose everything.

  • Fire razes two buildings in Benin

    Two buildings in different parts of Benin City were on Monday razed by fire apparently cause by power surge.

    Both buildings were completely razed as men of the Edo State Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings.

    Landlord of one of the building located at 13 Ekaladeran Street off Aerodrome Close, Ernest Aganmwonyi, said the fire was caused by power surge.

    Ernest said they tried fruitlessly to put out the fire.

    He said he was at lost where to relocate his family members to.

    Occupants of the second building located at 6 Osunde Street in Uselu quarters said they were yet to ascertain cause of the fire.

    A tenant in the house, Ekunade Irabor said the fire spread rapidly before they could get water to put out the fire.

    She said the fire started from one of the rooms.

    No life was lost in both incidents.

  • El-Rufai warns agencies against blanket marking of buildings for demolition

    El-Rufai warns agencies against blanket marking of buildings for demolition

    Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has warned agencies involved in the recovery exercise of government owned institution’s lands that there must be no blanket marking of any neighborhood, layout or community just on account of proximity to the historic boundaries of public institutions.

    The warning to the agencies was contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan and made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday.

    Part of the statement reads thus: “The Governor’s written approval must be obtained before any action is undertaken to initiate recovery processes based on the surveys and maps showing these encroachments.

    “Approvals for necessary action will not be granted except it is evident that the layouts containing the excisions are illegal or irregular, and are clearly inimical to the purpose of the affected institutions in such a manner that cannot be prudently remedied.

    “Where the boundaries that have survived encroachment are considered sufficient for the functioning of these public institutions, other actions short of recovery will be taken on the encroached lands.

    “Due notice must be taken of the historic nature of the encroachments, and the longevity of some of the buildings and layouts that are a result of encroachment but are longstanding, and do not manifestly impede the safe and smooth running of the affected public institutions.

    “There must be no blanket marking of any neighborhood, layout or community just on account of proximity to the historic boundaries of public institutions.

    “Clear procedures for establishing the validity of title and development approvals for buildings must be established and respected.

    “Local Government Councils are to note that they have no role in the land recovery exercise, beyond gathering and forwarding information to KASUPDA, which is the mandate agency for town planning and enforcement.

    “Government directs scrupulous compliance with these instructions in implementing the land recovery exercise.”

    Aruwan stated that the government appreciates the understanding and support of the general public for the land recovery exercise. Citizens are encouraged to remain engaged, and to report any fears and concerns about the land recovery exercise to the government.”

    Aruwan’s statement further added that: “The Kaduna State Government has announced its determination to recover lands belonging to public institutions. This applies to lands that have been illegally excised, carved-out or alienated in a manner that contradicts the security, orderly environment and expansion prospects of the affected schools, hospitals and other public institutions.

    “In restoring the integrity of these lands, the Government has taken steps to ensure that the recovery exercise is conducted in a fair and orderly manner that upholds public interest and conduces to social harmony.

    “Therefore all agencies involved in the implementation of the land recovery exercise must note and abide by these considerations,” the statement reads.

  • Govt demolishes 32 buildings in Zaria

    •El-Rufai begins land recovery

    Thirty-two illegal buildings were yesterday demolished on the premises of Alhudahuda College, Zaria.

    This is part of Kaduna State government’s efforts to recover government land in state-owned institutions.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai had given an ultimatum to owners of such property and last weekend reminded them that the deadline would end on Wednesday (yesterday).

    Supervising the exercise, the General Manager, Kaduna State Urban Development Authority (KASUPDA), Mrs. Saratu Hassan, said 32 houses were affected.

    She said the government did not promise to compensate owners.

    Mrs. Hassan said the government would not rescind its decision.

    She said the demolition team would soon move to other areas where there were illegal structures.

    Her words: “The Kaduna State government has saddled our department with the responsibility of demolishing illegal buildings on government land.

    “This is why we are here at Alhudahuda College, Zaria to begin the demolition of illegal structures. When we finish, we will move to other areas.”

    Armed security personnel were on ground to guard officials of the agency.

    Owners of most of the affected buildings, before the arrival of the demolition squad, removed their valuables.

    There was no trouble in Zaria, but in Kaduna there was tension as houses on school and hospital land had been marked for demolition by KASUPDA.

  • Firm seeks removal of buildings under high-tension wires

    THE Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Ltd (AEDC) yesterday urged owners of houses under high-tension wires to remove them.

    This is contained in a statement by Ahmed Shekarau, the head, Public Relations and Media of AEDC and sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    It warned consumers to refrain from patronising unlicensed electricians when faults occurred on their power lines or appliances.

    The statement said AEDC recorded zero deaths and accidents in the second quarter of the year.

    It noted: “This is the first time such a feat is recorded in the history of the company.”

    The statement added that no worker was involved in a negative incident on safety, health and environment between April and June.

    The Managing Director/CEO of AEDC, Mr. Neil Croucher, hailed the workers for the achievement.

    He enjoined them to sustain the tempo.

    Croucher said since the takeover of the company in November 2013, new investors had raised the AEDC’s Health, Safety and

    Environment (HSE) Policy to a higher level.

    The statement said the AEDC management created a board committee to ensure HSE was integrated in its operations.

    It quoted Croucher as saying that AEDC valued health and environment because its operation was not just selling electricity and making money, but to ensure safe use of the product.

    The statement said if electricity was not handled properly, it could cause injury or death, hence AEDC had taken it as its primary responsibility to educate customers on the safe handling of electricity.

    Croucher warned people to avoid vandalism, encroachment on installations and not to tamper with such installations because they were accident-prone areas.

    He said the AEDC management had taken it as its responsibility to ensure education of customers and stakeholders on the safe handling of electricity.

    According to him, AEDC had started its quarterly safety sensitisation campaign in Kogi and Niger states and also at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).