* Calls For Independent Probe
By Nahum Sule (Taraba State Correspondent, in Jalingo)
The owner of the recent collapsed one storey building in Jalingo, Taraba state capital, Chief Uche Obi, has alleged that before the incident occurred, they noticed that a chemical substance was poured on the pillars of the building which consequently weakened the pillars, leading to the collapse of the structure that claimed one life, leaving several people, injured.
In a press statement by Obi, he said it has become imperative for him to speak after days of being silent since the collapse of the building on Friday, April 1, 2022, and the alleged negative and skewed reportage and information flying in the public space.
The statement reads: "Regrettably, a life was lost and people sustained injuries in the incident aside from millions of my investments that have gone down the drain within minutes. But rather than praying 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, did not manufacture building materials but bought from the open market and with the manufacturers, the same way other dealers do.
"Moments, 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 the government. The allegations that we used sub-standard 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 labeling the materials they have not subjected to laboratory investigation or test as substandard, amounted to pre-meditated action and defamation of character.
"The question one would ask is: when did SON carry out a test on the materials that made them jump 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?
"In conclusion, apart from the trauma my family and I have undergone 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", Chief Uche Obi said. NNL.
