Taraba Building collapse: owner alleges sabotage, calls for independent investigation by government
Taraba state based business mogul and owner of the story building which collapsed in Jalingo on 1st April killing one person and causing injuries to many Mr Uche Obi has alleged that a chemical substance was deliberately poured on the pillars supporting the building to weaken it and consequently cause the disaster.
Obi who issued a Press statement in Jalingo on Tuesday said the loss of lives and injuries to others was most regrettable and urged the public to pray for the repose of the departed soul and for quick recovery of the injured.
He noted that contrary to wide spread rumors in the wake of the disaster alleging that substandard materials were responsible for the accident, evidence on the scene of the accident suggest a deliberate act of sabotage.
“It has become imperative for me to speak to you this morning after days of silence since the collapse of my property on April 1, 2022, and the negative and skewed reportage and information flying the public space.
“Regrettably, a life was lost and people sustained injuries in the incident. But rather than pray for the repose of the life that was lost in the incident, some persons are determined to feed the public with fake news and misleading information regarding the unfortunate event. To put the records straight, I, Uche Obi do not manufacture building materials but buy from the open market and with manufacturers the same way other dealers do.
“Moment after the building which did not carry any load aside the casted floor supported by 68 pillars and many beams came down, there were signs of chemicals noticed on the pillars which we suspected was deliberately poured on the pillars to weaken them for the subsequent collapse. We want an independent investigation in this matter by certified agencies of government.
“The allegations that we use substandard materials on the site by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON’s) representative at the site of the collapse a few minutes after the incident speaks volumes. You may wish to note that I have dragged SON to court since last year when the agency sealed off my business premises along Hammaruwa way here in Jalingo for accusing me wrongly of selling substandard materials.
“I want to categorically state here that SON is biased and what they are doing by labelling the materials they have not subjected to laboratory investigation or test as substandard amounted to premeditated action and defamation of character. The question one would ask is, when did SON carry out a test on the materials that they jumped to conclusion that the materials used were substandard?
“How would a building of such magnitude that is in a public space go up to that level without the knowledge of the appropriate authorities? How powerful am I that my structure will ignore all quit notices and the appropriate authorities will allow it from the foundation to the level it was before it suddenly came down?
“Apart from the trauma myself and my family is going through following the collapse, there is a threat to my life and I will be making a formal report to the police regarding this threat. In the meantime, I want to solicit the prayers of the public for me and my family at this trying time” the statement read in part.
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