Buhari Says Frequent Building Collapse In Nigeria Embarrassing, Mourns Ebute Metta Victims

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the frequent occurrence of building collapses in the country, describing it as increasingly embarrassing.

He charged relevant state agencies to work with professionals on how to halt the situation.

Buhari was reacting to the collapse of a three-storey building in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State on Sunday, commiserating with the families of those who died, got injured or affected in anyway in the incident.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari hailed the courage and determination of first responders at the site of the incident, including national and subnational emergency agencies, noting that their timely intervention was responsible for saving many of the victims.

“President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with families of those who died, sustained injuries, and were affected in the building collapse at Ebute Metta area of Lagos State, with search and rescue still ongoing at the site.

“The President, who is pained by this tragic incident, salutes the courage and determination of the first responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies in Lagos State, and compassionate Nigerians, whose immediate action in the aftermath of the collapse of the three-storey building led to the rescue of several persons, including many children.

“Regrettably, the President notes that the frequency of building collapses in the country has become increasingly embarrassing, urging the relevant state authorities to work closely with professional bodies to put a halt to these unfortunate but preventable incidents.

“President Buhari wishes those injured a speedy recovery and prays for divine assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations,”:the statement reads.