LAGOS- The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has called on the Federal and state governments to enforce strict adherence to best practices by professionals, to curb the incidences of building collapse in the nation.
Mrs Adebola Kolawole, Chairman, NRCS, Lagos State Branch, made the call on Friday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a news conference in Lagos.
The news conference, which was organised by NRCS, Lagos to mark the commencement of activities marking the 160th Anniversary of the World Red Cross Day (WRCD), was tagged “#From the Heart.”
Kolawole said it was heartbreaking anytime Red Cross volunteers had to respond to emergencies such as building collapse, because it was usually avoidable.
She said the engagement of incompetent hands who wanted short cuts to success and used substandard materials or those that didn’t meet the right specifications were some causes of building collapse.
“It’s becoming too many for one to be comfortable with.
“We’re losing a lot of lives and properties to the collapse of buildings,” she said.
The chairman said the onus lay with government regulatory agencies to ensure compliance by enforcing building guidelines.
Kolawole urged property owners to engage the services of competent professionals, who had reputations to maintain, when they decide to develop their properties.
Earlier, the chairman said this year’s celebration would focus on the volunteers, highlighting the universal, human and diverse aspects of the Red Cross.
“Our volunteers are our strength. They are what defines us and they help make the world a safer and more peaceful place every single day.
“From providing comfort and care to people in need to leading community health campaigns so people are aware how to live long and healthy.
“From search and rescue efforts and reuniting families in the wake of a disaster to running youth programmes, everything we do is #From the Heart,” she said.
Kolawole highlighted some of the branch’s planned projects, which included establishing a medical diagnostic laboratory for its community-based clinic, and provision of six ambulances to be stationed at strategic divisions .
Other projects, she said, are provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs), an upgrade of their babies’ home, which was established during the civil war between 1967 and 1970 to care for abandoned children.
She urged governments, individuals and corporate organisations to support the Red Cross in cash and resources so it could continue providing emergency response and disaster relief operations.
Also, Mr Taiye Olaniyi, a former Chairman of NRCS, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch, said he was impressed with how much the state Red Cross had achieved.
He also called on good-spirited individuals and organisations to support the state Red Cross in meeting its objectives. (NAN)