By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The Senate on Wednesday called for stiffer punishment for violation of construction and building codes in the country in a bid to contain the growing cases of collapsed buildings.
It noted that cases of professional misconduct by supposedly trained officials were on the rise, saying that such punishment must be applied to all those in the line of a failed building, including the architects, engineers and the owners of the affected property.
The resolution was reached in Abuja as senators debated a matter of urgent public importance on the collapse of Saint Academy in Jos, Plateau State.
The school, which collapsed on July 12, claimed the lives of 22 students and members of staff, while over 100 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Sen. Diket Plang APC, (Plateau-Central), who moved the motion, recalled how the sad incident altered the lives of many parents, families and the government of the state.
The Senate specifically recommended stiffer penalties for anyone involved in violating building regulations, urging the Plateau State Government to conduct a full investigation and bring to book, all those found culpable.
In addition to observing a minute’s silence in honour of the dead and urging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief to them, the Senate also called on Federal Government agencies to mobilise to Jos to offer medical care to the victims.
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