By Tony Okafor
The devastating spate of building collapses in Anambra State has reached epidemic proportions, claiming precious lives and property.
The latest tragedy at Eke Amawbia market, which took the life of a civil defense officer and father of four, is a heart-wrenching reminder of the urgent need for decisive action.
The root cause of these collapses is the greed of landlords and builders who prioritize profits over human lives.
The rampant conversion of low-level buildings into multi-storey structures with substandard materials and questionable reinforcements is a ticking time bomb that must be addressed.
We demand that the Anambra State Government under Prof Chukwuma Soludo should take the following steps:establish a task force to inspect buildings and identify potential hazards;
enforce strict regulations on building construction and maintenance; prosecute erring builders and contractors, including imprisonment and hefty fines
Government should provide support and compensation to victims of building collapses like in the case of the Amawbia Market incident.
Again, Government should work with professional bodies like NSE and COREN to ensure building engineers and contractors operate with the highest level of professionalism
Besides, Government should build and provide low-cost houses for the masses to prevent greedy landlords from making makeshift houses to maximize profits
Government must prioritize the lives of its citizens over the interests of corrupt builders, contractors, and shylock landlords.
The people of Anambra State deserve to live in a safe and secure environment, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that.
We urge the government to take immediate action to address this crisis and prevent further loss of life and property.
The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
We demand action now, not rhetoric or condolences
