the numerous ongoing human rights impacts of the deadly and catastrophic
building collapse in their respective states, including by taking
meaningful steps to avoid further damage to the human rights of the people
affected.”
The organization said: “The Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode and Oyo
State governor, Abiola Ajimobi should ensure as a matter of priority,
access of victims and their families to effective remedies in a
transparent manner, specifically, access to justice, adequate
compensation, reparation, and guarantees that incidents like these can
never happen again.”
According to the organization: “These tragedies point to weak enforcement
of building regulations and oversight by the two states and urgent need
for effective action and reforms. SERAP is concerned that the responses so
far by the governments of Lagos and Oyo states have been insufficient to
deal with the massive extent of the human costs of the incidents.”
In a statement today, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said:
“These incidents come as a tragic reminder of the mismanagement, weakness
in the regulatory and monitoring regime. The governments should have done
more to prevent them from happening. The governors should act decisively
on their commitments to do everything in their powers to prevent more such
tragedies, and to bring to justice those responsible, to serve as a
deterrent and end the negligence at which many are carrying out their
duties.”
The statement read in part: “Schools should be a sanctuary – a place where
children can learn, develop and play with their classmates, and prepare
for their future lives in society. Collapse of school building due to weak
enforcement regulations or corruption is an implicit attack on the right
of Nigerian children to education, life, and human dignity. Such situation
creates an environment of fear and severely diminishes the quality of
children’s education.”
“The tragedies demand accountability and both Lagos and Oyo states should
accept responsibility for these incidents; promptly, thoroughly and
impartially investigate exactly how they happened, and publicly apologise
to the victims, their families and Nigerians. Building developers and
contractors can only be properly held to account if the two states do the
right thing for the harm they have caused.”
“SERAP is seriously concerned about the frequency of building collapse in
the country. Many buildings within Lagos and Oyo states reportedly remain
in breach of minimum standards. Both governments should urgently take
effective monitoring and enforcement action and provide conclusive
evidence that buildings within their states are safe, strong, stable and
meet applicable legal and building standards.”
“In order to prevent other tragedies, authorities at both federal and
state levels should monitor and effectively enforce compliance by public
and private actors with their regulatory and environmental standards.
President Muhammadu Buhari and all the 36 state governors should publicly
commit that they will do everything possible to prevent new tragedies like
those of Lagos Island and Bode, Ibadan.”
“We condemn the collapse of a three-storey building in Ita Faji area of
Lagos Island with over 20 people including school children reportedly dead
and 45 injured, and the collapse of a two-storey building in Ibadan, Oyo
State, with some people reportedly injured.”
“We stand in solidarity with those affected and ready to help by providing
free legal advice, assistance and support in order to ensure that justice
is not only done, but also seen to be done in these cases.”