Buhari Laments Nigeria’s Repeated Construction Collapses 

While expressing his condolences to the victims of the Ebute Metta building collapse, the President expressed his dissatisfaction with the frequency with which similar accidents occur.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

The tragedy, which occurred on Sunday, May 1, 2022, is the most recent in a series of building collapses that have occurred in the country recently.

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, issued a statement on Monday, May 2, 2022, praising the emergency agencies and first responders for their efforts to reduce the number of casualties as a consequence of the tragedy while commiserating with the victims.

The statement read in part, “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.”

The President further expressed his hope that the victims of the disaster would be cared for and would recover quickly, while also praising the rescue operations that are still looking for trapped people in the wreckage of the story building.