From Isaac Ojo
The Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has announced tougher measures to prevent building collapse and protect the lives and property of residents across the state.
As part of the new measures, the Council said engineers and government officials who approve building plans will be held responsible if they are found to have acted negligently in cases where such buildings collapse.
The resolution was contained in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, after the Council’s meeting.
According to the Council, anyone found guilty of negligence or any other unlawful act connected to a building collapse, will face prosecution in line with the law. The decision is aimed at ensuring that professionals and public officials carry out their duties responsibly and follow all building safety regulations.
ANSEC also directed that integrity tests on buildings, especially mass housing facilities and students’ hostels, should be intensified across the state. The Council said the inspections are necessary to identify weak or unsafe structures before they become a danger to the public.
The move comes as part of the Anambra State Government’s efforts to prevent avoidable disasters caused by structural failures and to ensure that buildings occupied by large numbers of people are safe.
