Delta State Government has reaffirmed its readiness to swiftly respond to emergency situations in the state to avert further destruction of lives and property in disaster situations.
The State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Omamofe Pirah, gave the assurance on Monday while briefing newsmen at the scene of a collapsed building in Okwe, Oshimili South Local Government Area.
Pirah who was represented by the Director, Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Karo Ovemeso, also implored residents and sympathizers to cooperate with emergency management officials on rescue operations.
Confirming casualties of the Okwe building collapse, Pirah said that four were injured including the landlord of the premises, one Captain Sam Akaraiwe, while a yet-to-be-identified man was killed.
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He added that the body of the deceased had since been deposited at the morgue while the injured were receiving treatment at the hospital, even as he regretted the unfortunate incidence.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu has suspected structural defects in the collapsed building and called on property developers to strictly observe compliance with approved building codes.
Aniagwu maintained that urban renewal laws and policies should be adhered to, most especially in the suburbs where supervision is largely undermined due to their remoteness.
He also harped on the need for officials to intensify monitoring to ascertain that all legal and policy requirements as it concerned erecting structures were fulfilled.
While commending the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for its swift response, the state’s spokesman called on builders to always do the right thing and avoid compromising lives for pecuniary gains.
