The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has tasked engineers in the country to address the menace of rampant building collapse in Nigeria.
Oba Balogun gave the charge while receiving the newly inaugurated executive committee of the Oyo state chapter of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) during a courtesy visit to his Alarere residence in Ibadan.
In doing this, the Olubadan charged the engineers to embark on aggressive sensitisation campaign on the need for builders to ensure that competent professionals are engaged in building construction in order to stem the tide of collapsed structures with their attendant woes.
The Olubadan added that the reports of collapsed buildings that were becoming rampant in the state couldn’t have been if experts’ advice and inputs were involved, adding that the awareness and sensitisation of the members of the public being canvassed would open the understanding of the people on the importance of professional inputs in building construction.
“Some of the people are ignorant while some that are not ignorant want to cut cost. It is incumbent upon you to bring the people into the awareness of why you are very crucial to construction activities,” he said.
Oba Balogun added: “By the awareness and sensitisation, you would raise the consciousness of those that are ignorant while those who know but want to cut cost would know that no amount of money can equate a life that is lost in a collapsed building.
“Your new exco has started very well, going by the actions you have taken so far as reeled out by your chairman and I can only pray for a resounding success for your team and the society at large.”
Chairman, Oyo state chapter of the NSE, Adewale Ikotun, said the society is ready to partner with the state government to wage war against the menace.