According to the Legend Peter Tosh, Everyone is crying out for peace, none is crying out for justice. On the 1st of November, 2021 Lagos was once again shaken to its very foundation, with the collapse of the twenty one storey building in Ikoyi, even though such things hardly shakes us anyway, as avoidable deaths are almost a daily occurrence in Nigeria. My condolence to the families of those that lost their lives in the unfortunate incidence. Developer, prospectors, marketers, craftsmen, Labourers and Artisans. No amount of consolation, but transparency, can heal this wound. My friend Gbolahon Olojede asked, “what is the outcome of the investigation into the Lekki Gardens collapse building that claimed 34 lives? How about 11 that died in the Ita Faji collapse?” If I talk about the 200 that died in the Synagogue Church collapse building in 2014 and the over 200 that died in the Akwa Ibom church collapse building in 2016 (where the State Governor Udom Emmanuel narrowly escaped death) someone go shout, touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm.
That’s why we daily mouth, the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain, but vainlessly rubbish the labour of both our heroes and the future of our youths everyday by cutting corners. I will therefore advocate, as posited by my friend and brother, Chuka Ihonor, a renowned Achitect, if we must get to the root of the matter, deal with possible compromises and avert a reoccurrence, we must unveil the identity of owner of plot of land (corporate and/ or private). The identity of developers (corporate and/or private) not just the deceased. Identity of major investors. Identity of consultants: architect, structural engineer, services engineer, quantity surveyor/cost consultant, project manager and other consultants engaged therein. Identity and resumé of main contractor, and of all sub-contractors.
Publication of all permits and considerations received for and during the project. All documents that relate to tests conducted by government agencies on the materials i.e. concrete cube and stress tests, soil tests etc. All documents relating to the project, pre-site and also during on-site supervision. And if possible, full outline of the timeline of events and incidents from start of work up to date. That’s the only way we can show that we are desirous of putting an end to all these mass murder, yes mass murder, that’s what they are. Otherwise, a committee go end up just coming to chop and nothing go come out.
• Liborous Oshoma Esq. is the Head Attorney of Liborous Oshoma Chambers. He is an Attorney, Writer, Activist, Public & Social Affairs Commentator
