Gov Alia visits site of collapsed building, expresses disappointment

• Says building was poorly constructed
• Orders vacation of those living along the waterways

The Governor of Benue State, Fr Hayicnth Alia, has berated the leadership of the Dunamis International gospel centre for erecting a substandard structure.

WITHIN NIGERIA reports that the church caved in the early hours of Tuesday, killing the killing the resident pastor, Ahmed Sunday and injuring others.

Speaking when he visited the site, the Governor expressed disappointment that he did not meet any of the leaders of the church on ground.

He said the building was poorly constructed and would be revoked.

He said the leader of the church should know the law.

“We have to locate where the leadership of the church is and to inform them that the land has been revoked because we have to save lives.

“Those living along the waterways would vacate immediately.

“So the Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development should step in.

“I need to know who approved this structure. We need to know the engineers or the architects who monitored this gigantic project.

“We need to stop these from happening.”

Dunamis Church is under the leadership of Dr Paul Enenche.

In a related development, the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) says is collaborating with the Lagos State government to reduce building collapse in the state.

Chairman, NIOB, Lagos Mr Lucky Isename, stated this at a conference in Lagos announcing the 32nd Lagos Builder’s conference and Annual General Meeting slated for Oct. 11 to 12th.

Isename said the conference and AGM will X-ray issues of sustainability in construction to mitigate building collapse.

He said the theme: “Safe And Sustainable Building Production Management In Nigeria” was chosen to correct errors and x-ray how far the neglect of the law had affected construction in Lagos State.

According to him, Lagos State has beautiful laws that need implementation, hence NIOB’s collaboration with the government towards implementing and enforcing the Lagos State Development Planning Law, 2019.

He said experts would discuss functions of registered builders, expectations, ethics, rights of clients, government regulation and other vital issues that would nip building collapse in the bud.

“The collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is to make sure that the Lagos State Physical Development Planning Law 2019, is fully enforced to mitigate building collapse in the state.