Professionals under the auspices of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) have called the state governments to swiftly enact a law that requires periodic monitoring and deformation study of all buildings that are above two floors and specifically high rise structures in Lagos.
Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Lagos State Branch, Olukolade Kasim, stated this in an interview at the institution’s 17th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture themed: Why Are Nigerians Hurting And Lamenting, Sixty One Years After Independence?” held at Gbagada Industrial Scheme, Oworonshoki,Lagos
Speaking on building collapse in Lagos State, he said this would ensure not only the safety of lives and property but also restore investors confidence in the real estate sector as it contributes significantly to Gross Domestic Product of the state.
Awards were given to winners of the 17th Annual Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture Essay Competition, Tertiary Institutions and Secondary Schools Categories.
Speaking, the Guest Lecturer, Brigadier General (rtd), Larinde Laoye, listed corruption, gross indiscipline, demise of social values, general insecurity, cultism, religious fanaticism and food insecurity among factors hurting Nigerians after 61 years of nationhood.
Others, he said included economic weakness despite availability of God’s given natural and human resources, injustice and flagrant abuse of human rights, leadership, drug issues, poor health-care delivery system, impatience and professional negligence, nepotism and selfishness in all facets of Nigeria’s life.
Laoye pointed out that presently most Nigerians living are hurting and lamenting on the enumerated issues affecting the economy negatively.
To stop the hurting, the retired brigadier general warned that the blaming game must stop, adding that all Nigerians, especially the youths, the elites and the wealthy must rise to the occasion to stop the hurting and lamentation by proactively addressing issues affecting the country.
According to him, the Federal Government would need to carry the youths along to ensure even developments and be transparent in enactment of its policies, as no nation can grow without involving in massive industrial activities.
“Nigerians must preach moral values, support the government, toll the path of decency, unity, stop blame games, discuss and proactively address issues affecting the country.”
Decrying the alarming food insecurity in Nigeria, he said the issue was caused by increase in population and rising cases of farmers and herdsmen clashes.
Besides, he noted that the activities of middlemen in the food supply chains have led to increasing food prices in the market despite people’s low purchasing power.
According to the Laoye, food production in Nigeria has further hampered by lack of energetic farmers, noting that most of those farming are overaged and there was no attraction for youths to take to farming.
“Further, cost of farm equipment and the Land Use Act limits participation in large scale farming. Therefore contrary to expectations, what we are witnessing is the steady inflationary rate of food stuff.”
According to him, people have become very hungry and that the situation has been further compounded by continuous devaluation of the Naira.
“Gari (fried cassava flour) is no longer common in our homes, ditto every other domestic material. Nigerians are worried, perturbed and afraid because the expected peace (if food is available) has become a far cry to all.
“People are dying like fowls, banditry and kidnapping of the peasant farmers have become the order of the day. We have been turned panny in the fatherland, once described and believed to be flowing with milk and honey,” the brigadier general said.
Laoye pointed out that the military personnel had contributed immensely to the unity and stability of Nigeria, noting that corruption and greed which required analysis and solutions had eaten deep into the fabric of the society.
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