James Agberebi
Seven days after the collapse of a two-story building in the Sabon Gwari area of Minna, the Niger State Capital, the Niger State Urban Development Board (NUDB), in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have jointly coordinated the demolition of the remaining part of the collapsed building.
Speaking to newsmen while supervising the demolition exercise, the Director-General of NUDB, Abdullahi Jimada Gana Mohammed, disclosed that the board had invited the owner of the collapsed building for discussion.
He added that after the meeting, the board may likely prosecute him for failing to abide by the laid-down rules and regulations.
“In recent days, the board had pulled down 3-5 houses that fell below the building standard in Minna city and will continue in other parts of the state. The exercise is ongoing,” the D.G. said.
According to the D.G., when the building collapsed last Friday, May 17, 2024, nobody died inside the building. He pointed out that there were only seven casualties, and they were promptly rescued, treated, and discharged from the hospital.
The NUDB boss reiterated that the board would not spare anyone who violated the laid-down rules and regulations of building construction.
“In terms of demolition, you don’t just rush to someone’s property; there are procedures to follow. Therefore, you have to do all you could before embarking on the demolition,” he said.
“When we talk of a new Niger, we talk of a new board. Therefore, we are not going to spare anyone who breaches the order of the board,” the DG added.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, hinted that the agency, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, would always try to be on top of the situation to examine the general situation of things. Hence, the need to put stringent measures on the offenders of buildings that fall below the rules and regulations.
It was learned that the collapsed building was constructed since 1976, over four decades ago.
