AE-FUNAI VC Calls For Enforcement Of Standards To Avoid Building Collapse

The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Professor Sunday Elom, has called on relevant government agencies to ensure  strict enforcement of construction  standards to ensure that buildings are properly designed and constructed  to avoid indiscriminate  collapse, which may lead to injury  or loss lives and property.

The Vice -Chancellor  stated this  while reacting to the unfortunate collapse of a  3-storey building (Pentagon  lodge) located at Izzangbo Ohankwu Village, near the university, which served as a private hostel for some  students of the university. 

Professor Elom lamented the manner private buildings are constructed without proper, supervision,  monitoring and enforcement of building codes by relevant agencies, warning that if not checked , it may lead to further avoidable disasters.

 He therefore called on the Ebonyi state government to institute a full investigation into the hostel collapse to ascertain the probable  causes of the collapse in order to punish anyone found culpable, and to serve as deterrent to corrupt regulators,  contractors, engineers and others who may have cut corners, leading to the disaster. 

The Vice-Chancellor further used the opportunity to sympathise with the students who might have lost or have their property trapped in the rubbles, and thanked God for preserving them, as there was no loss of life. 

He further assured of his administration's support to the affected students, directing them to liaise with the Student Union Government and the Dean of Students Affairs for proper documentation, and  immediate support from the university. management. 

From Elom Iyke Ubochi ,

University Public Relations Officer