State, Fed. Govt. Urged To Declare State Of Emergency On Oko Erosion Sites To Avert Further Devastation
By Nneka Anoliefo
An Appeal has gone to President Mohammed Buhari and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to declare State of Emergency on Oko Erosion sites to avert further devastation.
Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers Engr Rita Ofojeama, made the appeal when she led members of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Aguata Branch, on tour of the gully Erosion sites to see how to check the menace.
Engr Rita who Expressed worry over the devastation, appealed for Urgent intervention of government as most houses in the Area especially the houses of Professor Chuks Aginam, had been submerged by the gully Erosion.
She urged government to help save the lives and property of people living near the gully Erosion .
Engr Ofojeama seized the opportunity to commend the state government for efforts in putting smiles on the faces of people in the state by flagging off many developmental projects which includes Ekwuluobia flyover and other road projects in the area.
The Vice Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Aguata Branch, Engr, kenechukwu Onwughalu, Secretary of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Aguata Branch, Engr. Ibe Friday, Engr Eliseus Obiekwe, among others, suggested that government should employ the services of professional Engineers for surveying to proffer lasting solution to the erosion menace.
From the Oko Erosion sites, the members of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Aguata Branch, also paid courtesy visit on a Senior Citizen, in Isuofia town and a Civil Engineer, Engr Patrick Obidike, for his contributions to the progress of the Society.
Addressing the Engineers, Engr Patrick Obidike recounted how he carried war to stop quackery in Engineering profession when he was in Active service, and urged COREN Engineers and government to uphold the Engineering standard and as well, discipline quacks, to check building collapse.
Engr Andrew Okeke presented a paper on the “Causes of Building Collapse and Preventive Measures in the Country, State and Localities”.
He listed Signs of building collapse to include, cracks in the wall, Sagging floor, Displaced Columns, and attributed causes of building collapse to Weak foundation, Substandard Building materials, workers mistakes, Non testing of Building materials and etc.
Other Engineers present also listed facts to follow to building collapse, as Hire of arm Architect/ competent building contractors, soil testing, Use of Suitable Foundation Designs and construction, as well as Complying with Regulatory and building regulations.
Responding, Engr Rita Ofojeama who noted that Engineers require team work, recommended that Government should employ professionals to help fight quackery in building industry, offer appointments to credible individuals as well as training and retraining staff to encourage professionalism.
In his vote of thanks Emeka Achukwu thanked Engr Patrick Obidike and the resource person Engr Andrew Okeke for hosting the Engineers, noting that society without building collapse is attainable, if all adhere to the National Building Codes.
