…DIRECTS PAYMENT OF HOSPITAL BILLS OF VICTIMS BY FCTA
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, August 24, 2023, visited the site of a collapsed two-storey building in Lagos Street, Garki II District of the Federal Capital Territory.
During the visit, the FCT Minister commended the agencies involved in the rescue operations, for their efforts in rescuing 35 victims of the building collapse.
The FCT Minister who commiserated with the victims over the unfortunate incident which claimed two lives, assured that the FCT Administration will pay the hospital expenses of the survivors to ensure that no further life is lost.
Responding to the comment by the Director Development Control, Town Planner, Mukhtar Galadima that the area is an unplanned settlement for the original inhabitants of the FCT, Wike said it was important to fast-track the issues of resettlement to forestall a reoccurrence of such unfortunate incident.
The Minister who condemned the act of building without an approved plan, directed that the site of the collapsed building should be taken over to ensure that no further development is carried out there.
He called on the stakeholders to understand that the difficult decisions that the government makes are not aimed at victimizing anybody but to promote the overall safety and well-being of the people.
“It’s so unfortunate that we woke up this early morning to hear this very saddening news. It is not what we contemplated. We had our schedule for this morning before we were told.
“Let me thank the agencies, particularly FEMA that supported us to rescue not less than 32 lives. It’s unfortunate for the two that are dead. I will say to the Permanent Secretary to make sure that funds are raised to pay the hospital bills of those who were rescued because we don’t want to hear that another person has passed and that should be done immediately.”
The Minister also reiterated the need for compliance with building codes and regulations reminding residents that the decisions and actions of the government were for the public good.
“These are the things we have been saying. Nobody knows whose turn it will be and therefore, it is important that when the government says that they will take action on certain areas that we believe are illegal developments or even buildings that do not comply with the standard, it’s not as if anybody has any personal vendetta. “But for God, we would have lost virtually everybody, and this is what we are trying to cure.”
Speaking on the resettlement of the indigenous population, the Minister emphasized the need to properly resettle them saying “I do not know why it has taken so long that the FCTA did not resettle them. I’m sure we will take immediate action to see that indigenes of this area are resettled and then the government has to plan this place.”
While calling for the arrest of the owner of the building, Barrister Wike said that government action will be taken to ensure that no further development takes place at the location.”
In the words of the Minister, “When the government says take building plan, it is not as if the government wants to take action, it is not as if the government wants to suffer anybody. It’s to make sure that everybody is protected, cities are planned and to forestall this kind of incident.
“Imagine a building without approval. I will ask that we identify and arrest the owner of this property. It is very important and then of course the government will take over the area and make sure no further development is carried out here.”
He also called for the cooperation of all stakeholders saying that government actions which could be uncomfortable are ultimately for the public good.
“I want all the stakeholders here to please work with the government. It is in the interest of everybody. Nobody has come here to say I don’t like A, I don’t like B, I like C, no. I know sometimes the government’s decision may not be too comfortable for the people but in the long run, it is for the interest of everybody.
“Now that all of us have gathered here, who is happy? Nobody is happy and these are the things we are trying to forestall. Once more, I sympathize with those who have lost their lives and the government will take all the bills for those who are alive.”
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud; the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola; the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, among others.
The building which collapsed on Wednesday night is a two-floor structure which serves both residential and commercial purposes.
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