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Cause Of Plateau School Building Collapse that Claimed 22 Lives revealed
A Nigerian government-established investigative panel has concluded that the collapse of a two-storey school building in Jos, Plateau State, was attributed to the utilisation of substandard and weak materials.
Samson Duna, Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, addressed journalists in Jos, revealing the panel’s findings.
Chaired by O.F. Job from the University of Jos’ Building Department, the panel identified significant structural issues with the building.
According to Job, a physical inspection revealed distress signs and indications of substandard materials used in the building’s construction.
“The slab reinforcement anchorage provided was inadequate,” he said.
He noted that the investigation committee had commenced its probe into the matter and conducted an initial review, which revealed that the footing dimensions provided were smaller than the required size (1200 mm x 1200 mm).
A physical inspection of the building showed signs of distress. According to him, the committee will present a detailed report at the conclusion of the investigation.
The preliminary report highlighted concerns regarding the quantity of concrete used and the adequacy of separation between the concrete and steel reinforcement, necessitating additional investigation.
Moreover, the anchorage provided for slab reinforcement was found to be inadequate. The investigator emphasised the importance of prioritising integrity tests for all structurally compromised buildings, particularly those in close proximity to the collapsed site, and urged governmental and professional bodies in the construction sector to take appropriate action.
Last Friday, SaharaReporters reported how a two-storey building at Little Saint Academy located at the Busa Buji community in Jos North Local Government Area of the state collapsed while pupils were taking an examination, killing no fewer than 22 people.
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Before final liquidation, NDIC set to auction Heritage bank properties
In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of auctioning the landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.
According to the Corporation, this exercise is in line with its statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023, noting that; “This is another follow-up action sequel to the disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide”.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir A.
Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids scheduled to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity, and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.
The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value to allow for the continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations”, adding; “This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.
“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.
Furthermore, bidders will be allowed to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week before the date of disposal.”
Importantly too, the statement said; “All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six locations of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.
“All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.”
Meanwhile, the Corporation has vowed that there would be no hiding place for debtors of the defunct Heritage Bank whose financial obligation portfolio is in the region of over N700 billion.
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Naira slumps in parallel market
The Naira experienced a slight depreciation yesterday, slipping to N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market compared to its previous rate of N1,735 per dollar on Tuesday.
According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) strengthened, rising to N1,645.4 per dollar from Tuesday’s rate of N1,689.88 per dollar. This marks an appreciation of N44.48 for the Naira.
The market also saw a significant increase in dollar trading activity, with turnover climbing by 122.5 percent to reach $236.84 million, up from $106.44 million the previous day.
As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rate widened, now standing at N94.6 per dollar, up from N45.12 per dollar recorded on Tuesday.
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Sad! Body of COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, ready to be airlifted to Abuja(Photos)
Body of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, ready to be airlifted to Abuja.
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