By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Amidst increasing spate of cases of building collapse in Nigeria, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has tasked Nigerian Engineers to tackle rampant cases of building collapse in Nigeria.
Receiving the newly inaugurated executive committee of the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) to his Alarere residence in Ibadan during a courtesy visit at the weekend, Oba Balogun called on the engineers to embark on aggressive sensitization campaign.
He stressed that the aggressive sensitization campaign should focus on the need for builders to ensure that competent professionals are engaged in building construction, in order to stem the tide of collapsed structures with their attendant woes.
Oba Balogun stated that the reports of collapsed buildings that were becoming rampant in the state could not have been, if experts’ advice and inputs were involved.
The Olubadan pointed out that the awareness and sensitization of the members of the public being canvassed would open the understanding of the people on the importance of professional inputs in building construction
” Some of the people are ignorant while some that are not ignorant want to cut cost. It is incumbent upon you to bring the people into the awareness of why you are very crucial to construction activities”, he said.
The Olubadan added, “By the awareness and sensitization, you would raise the consciousness of those that are ignorant while those who know but want to cut cost would know that no amount of money can equate a life that is lost in a collapsed building”.
” Your new exco has started very well, going by the actions you have taken so far as reeled out by your Chairman and I can only pray for a resounding success for your team and the Society at large”.
The Chairman, Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Adewale Ikotun while speaking disclosed that the society is ready to partner with the state government to wage war against the menace
Engr Ikotun solicited for the support and royal blessings of Oba Balogun in the onerous task ahead, promising to take the organization to a higher level during the two-year term.
He stressed further that his committee had set out for actions immediately it was composed by making presentation of sets of computers and accessories and solar panels to the Liberty Academy in Odo-Ona Elewe area of the metropolis to identify and lend support to the government on its free education policy.
Engineer Ikotun said the society had concluded arrangements to give out wheel chairs to some of the residents that have challenges that require such to enable their mobility in addition to similar efforts to assist some of the handicapped students at The Technical University along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
