The Ekiti Government says it will henceforth sanction defiant developers who contravene environmental and building regulations in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, said this, on Friday, in Ado Ekiti, while receiving the report of the committee constituted to probe the collapse of an event center in Ijero-Ekiti.
The building located on Ijero-Ido road had on Sept. 3 suddenly collapsed on over 300 occupants during a burial reception held in the hall, leading to scores being injured in the ensuing melee.
“Such action has become expedient to safeguard the lives of the people and curtail actions of developers who often circumvent the rules mandating them to get proper approvals and building to specifications while handling public structures,’’ Afuye.
She said that the government would consider the committee’s recommendations to curtail unprofessional conducts of some developers.
The deputy governor appreciated the committee on behalf of Gov. Bidoun Oyebanji, for doing a thorough job.
Afuye said that the governor was resolved to take any action that would ensure safety of citizens and curtail professional misconduct by developers.
“Let me appreciate you for doing a thorough job. Safety of our people is very dear to the governor.
“We thank God that no life was lost during the incident, but we must guard against recurrence of such an incident.
“I want to assure you that all the recommendations shall be looked into and the necessary actions shall be taken on this matter”, she said.
The report submitted by the Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, the body called for outright demolition of the Event Centre for non-compliance with building rules and regulations.
The committee also tasked the Standard Organisation of Organisation (SON) to mandate producers of cement and other building materials to comply with the best production practices to stem cases of building collapse.
It attributed the building collapse to factors including lack of monitoring by government regulatory agencies, lack of supervision by qualified professionals and poor quality of work.
“We also found that the project has no approved drawing. The design was not properly done while the reinforcement was used unprofessionally,” Opeyemi said.
He said that developers handling public building like schools, hotels, event centers, religious buildings, industrial buildings, shopping malls and town/family halls must get all the requisite approvals from the government.
The Permanent Secretary said that part of the recommendations included the establishment of a Planning Permit and Building Control Agency.
He advised professionals in the building industry against misconduct, and implored the government to rehabilitate and properly equip all fire service stations across the state.
