'The building swings forward and babkward...'

A RESIDENT of the collapsed building, who was identified as Muritala said majority of the victims were porters. Speaking in Yoruba, he said: “As we speak, majority of the people under the rubbles are alabarus (porters). They help people to carry their loads from one location to another. I believe they must be up to 15 or 20. There are also other residents, who we have not been able to reach. We can’t even see the first floor as we talk to you.“At about 11.30pm yesterday night, we just heard a whooping sound as we literally saw the building swing forward and backward and suddenly many of us ran out. But others were not so lucky. I just came in because I was delayed by the rain that had started earlier in the evening. I saw the building as it came down and we started shouting and crying for help. People from other houses and streets came to help.“The major problem is that this is a very weak building. As you can see (touching the rubbles), all the materials, including the iron for building the house, are inferior. I believe this house is over 15 years though others may be saying seven to 10 years. I disagree. “Look at the cement used. Look at the rusted irons that was used. These are not strong irons. Can’t you see for yourself? There are so many people still under the rubbles, that we cannot reach. The government has to come in. Up till now, we have not seen officials from the secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. Is that fair? “One of the residents we even rescued early eventually died because he was badly hit by one of the rocks that fell on him. I am not exaggerating. You can ask other residents. We lost a family of four with husband and wife. We had a person who sustained a spinal cord injury and has been taken to one hospital. We were told that many of them have been taken to the General Hospital in Lagos here. I cannot confirm that because I have not left this place since yesterday night.“All we can appeal for is that all old and bad buildings should be demolished by the government. Look at so many of them around. I can say that all the houses in this areas are old and dangerous. People come here because the houses are cheap and the landlords put new floors on older ones because they want to meet the demands of accommodation seekers.”  Culled from : The Nation Newspaper⁠