On the Lagos- Ibadan expressway, five people were burnt in a multiple
accident involving nine fuel tankers while a building under
construction at the site of New Covenant Church, Sagbe, Ojoo in Ibadan
collapsed during a downpour, claiming five lives including two women
with two others seriously injured on Wednesday night.
It was the prompt response of security men, men of the Federal Road
Safety Corps, policemen and other sympathizers that saved the two
survivors.Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his wife, Florence visited
the scene around 1.30am to give helping hands to those who were trapped
under the rubbles.When Todaysgist visited the scene of the incident, all the
working implements like head pans, shovel, clothes were seen scattered
on the ground.
One of the survivors, Mr Wole Sokunbi said, “we were 13 people
working on the building when the rain started and we were waiting under
this building to collect our daily allowances from pastor, the foreman.
Suddenly the building collapsed. Only pastor, myself and one of the
women fetching water for us survived”.All the corpses and those injured had been taken away from the site.
According to an eyewitness, the workers had finished the day’s work
and were waiting for the contractor to come and pay them their wages
when the structures caved in suddenly.
He said: “They had finished working for the day. They had cleaned up
and were waiting for the contractor. Then, the rain started. It was then
they took shelter under the deck. Then, suddenly, we heard a loud bang.
Two of them who are Hausas tried to escape but the iron rod held their
legs. But, they were quickly rescued and taken to the hospital.”
A member of the church, Mr. Oyegoke Francis described the incident as unfortunate.
Governor Ajimobi blamed the incident on the failure of the contractor
handling the church building to use quality materials as well as his
(contractor’s) intention to cut cost.“If the contractor had not compromised quality, this incident would
not have happened,” the governor said, regretting that it could happen
despite repeated warning that people should ensure quality in everything
they were doing, including building construction.
He ordered that thorough investigation be carried out on the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building.
