By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Kaduna
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Wednesday in Kaduna has described the increase in building collapse in the country as worrisome.
The Director General of the agency, Muhammed Sani Sidi said many lives and property have being lost as a result of collapsed buildings in the country.
According to him, their is need for building contractors to abide by rules and regulations while erecting structures so as to protect the houses from collapse.
The Director General was speaking at the commissioning of heavy duty, earth moving excavator for use in rescuing victims of building collapse for the North-Western states.
The NEMA boss who was represented by the North West Zone Coordinator, Musa Ilallah said the excavator would be used when there is building collapse and other building accident in the zone.
“We are here to commission this excavator which we believe will help greatly during building collapse. Although we are not praying for such a disaster to happen, but we must take preventive measures looking at the report of building collapse that happened in state like Lagos.
“In Kaduna State we have not record any building collapse recently apart from the one we had years back. It was the foresight of the DG to save lives and property in case of any building collapse that leads to provision of this excavator.
“The way and manner we are witnessing building collapse in some states of the federation is worrisome. We need to save peoples lives. This vehicle will help to rescue victims when such disaster occurs,” he said.
He assured the stakeholders in disaster management to feel free to make use of the excavator any time the need arises.
The Director General further assured of the commitment of NEMA to partner with all stakeholders in disaster management in the country.
In his remarks, Deputy Controller Fire Service Commanding Officer, North West Zone, Obisesan Olatunde commended NEMA for deeming it fit to acquire the excavator.
According to him, the excavator can also be used to expand dranages in case of flood.
