President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the relevant state authorities to work closely with professional bodies to put a halt to what he called the “unfortunate but preventable incidents” of building collapses in the country.
The President made the call Monday in his reaction to the latest incident of collapse building at Ebute Metta area of Lagos State, wherewith search and rescue were still ongoing at the site.
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President Buhari, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, expressed regrets that the rate of building collapses in the country had become “increasingly embarrassing”.
He commiserated with families of those who died, sustained injuries, and were affected in the collapsed building.
The President, who said he was pained by this tragic incident, saluted 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.
President Buhari wished those injured a speedy recovery and prayed for divine assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations.