PDP, APC trade words over Lagos building collapse

1 year ago

PDP, APC trade words over Lagos building collapse

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to ‘play politics with people’s lives.

PDP had lamented what it described as the escalating rate of building collapse occurrences in Lagos, which it noted had resulted in the disruption in socio-economic and quality of life in the state.

In a statement by its publicity secretary, Hakeem Amode, PDP said it is important to call on the league of professionals in the industry to conduct a thorough investigation and understanding of the situations leading to the building collapse.

He said: “The incidences of building collapse is painful and is currently showing the ineptitude and incompetency of the APC administration in Lagos State beyond the government’s daily branding and showcasing of its cosmetics and self-centered governance and policies directions, which evidently lack human face.

“Appointments of persons into the agencies that regulate building designs approval and construction supervisory is laced with incompetency, nepotism and a sole aim of protecting the interest of an individual with sole aimed of enslaving the state to achieve personal ambitions.

“The agencies lack will and influence on a lot of building development decisions, fraught with corruption, greed and ineptitude. Although, professionals are to abide strictly to building codes, the building codes are also meant to be updated to meet up with the high standard of construction but the state agencies had been found lacking in this regards.

“The reputation of the professionals in the building industry who go about their duties independently without an established forum against the anomalies surrounding this incessant collapsed cannot be good for the state and their professional advancement in the industry.

APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, in his reaction said that while the government is responsible and responsive, it does not lack the political will to be decisive according to the rule of law.

Oladejo in a statement said Lagos State government has not hesitated to investigate the cause of such incidents and wield the big stick where necessary and that while there may still be a few bad eggs in the sector that continue to circumvent the system, the government remains committed to its complete sanitation.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the heartless, irresponsible, mindless and insensitive politicking with human lives by the Lagos State PDP over the unfortunate September 4 building collapse. While we as a responsible and responsive government empathise with the victims of the incident, we do not lack the political will to be decisive according to the rules of law.

“The Lagos State government has not hesitated to investigate the cause of such incidents and wield the big stick where necessary. While there may still be a few bad eggs in the sector who continue to circumvent the system, we remain committed to its complete sanitation.

“It is unacceptable, devilish and uncivilised for the PDP to celebrate the incident and dance on the graves of the victims in the name of politics. Lagos State Government remains resolutely committed to the protection of the lives and property of all Lagosians.

“We will continue to do our utmost as the regulatory body for all manner of construction while we all as citizens also have a duty to comply with all rules and regulations. The childish call for the resignation of the governor is, to put it mildly, in bad taste. It reflects the palpable fear of the opposition of the imminent characteristic defeat during the coming elections.

“While no society anywhere in the world is immune to disasters, the ultimate remains the response of the leadership. The response of the state government to emergencies has attracted applause from discerning Lagosians, who are convinced that the government remains committed to all that will make life more meaningful and abundant for its citizens.

“The reference to Mr Governor’s trip is puerile and infantile, even with the low standards of PDP. Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat was at the site. So were other senior officials, who ensured that the search-and-rescue operation went on unhindered. The opposition should not gloat over the misfortune of the people they seek to govern,” Oladejo said.