Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a building that housed students of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo.
The governor attributed most building collapse incidents to human error and non-compliance with established building codes, expressing concern over the serious danger such negligence poses to human lives.
"It is disheartening to hear about building collapse in this era when we have skilled manpower and well established professional standards," Governor Nwifuru stated while responding to the incident.
This directive was communicated through a statement issued on Saturday by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, and made available to journalists in Abakiliki.
The governor has instructed relevant bodies and agencies to enhance their monitoring and supervision of building projects from foundation to completion phase. He specifically directed the Ministry of Capital City Development to ensure that developers obtain proper approval before commencing any building projects.
"Lives of our people are precious and cannot be compromised under any guise," he emphasized.
Governor Nwifuru also called on professional bodies including the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Building to take responsibility, stating: "The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Building and other regulatory agencies should note that their integrity is at stake. Therefore, I urge them to ensure that building collapse becomes a thing of the past in this country."
The governor assured the public that following the investigation, anyone found culpable would face legal consequences. He further advised developers to always engage qualified professionals when executing building projects to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about building safety standards across Nigeria, particularly in structures housing vulnerable populations such as students. The collapse of the three-storey building at Alex Ekwueme Federal University adds to a troubling pattern of similar incidents that have occurred across the country in recent years.
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