By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has advised residents to speak up if they notice any buildings that look unsafe and could possibly lead to collapse across the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Materials Testing Agency (LSMTL), Mrs Olayinka Abdul, gave the advice on Tuesday.

She emphasised the importance of residents staying alert and reporting any signs of structural problems they notice.

Abdul said this could help prevent building disasters, especially those caused by builders not following proper materials testing rules.

She said that building collapses would keep happening if the public kept ignoring proper materials testing, such as the building that recently collapsed on Oremeta Street in Ojodu-Berger.

Abdul said the building collapse happened because the results of a Non-Destructive Test weren’t followed.

According to her, this is exactly what happens when safety regulations are overlooked.

Abdul said: “The results at the time showed the need for further professional input from structural engineers, the building having been in carcass form as an uncompleted structure for 10 years.”

She said that the collapse of the three-story building was exacerbated by non-compliance with Lagos State building codes and actions that contravened established professional standards.

She said that additional construction at the rear of the building was allegedly carried out at night, presumably to evade detection by relevant government authorities, particularly during the Easter public holiday.

“Whilst implementing this evil scheme, the building came down,” Abdul said.

She urged residents to stay alert and speak up if they notice any shady or suspicious construction going on in their area, adding that reporting it quickly could help prevent serious problems down the line.

“Residents should note that these constructions were done at night, and they should have raised alarm about it.

“See something, say something in order to help keep everyone safe. We need to be deliberate in informing authorities of some happenings around us.

“You can inform authorities about faulty buildings, etc. via WhatsApp: 07058890232,” she urged.

Abdul announced that all surrounding structures to the Oremeta collapse site would be served Non-Destructive Test papers commencing Tuesday, April 22.

This, she said, was a mandatory five-year structural integrity assessment for all long-standing buildings.

The general manager said that anyone found guilty of ignoring the building codes set by the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, would face serious sanctions.

She stressed how crucial proper testing was to make sure buildings and infrastructure are safe, strong, and built to last.

“Without rigorous testing, we risk constructing buildings and infrastructure that are prone to failure, collapse, and ultimately, loss of lives and property.

“For Lagos State as a mega city with a rapidly growing population and urbanisation, the demand for quality infrastructure is higher than ever,” she stressed.

Abdul highlighted that the agency was fully committed to ensure all construction materials used in the state met top standards for quality and safety.

She said their main goal was to protect the lives of Lagos residents while also supporting long-term, sustainable development.

She also noted that materials testing was not just about safety but about sustainability too.

She said: “By using high-quality materials, we can cut down on the need for constant repairs and replacements, which helps save resources and reduces construction waste in the long run.

“All they need to do is to see something, say something, as it places emphasis on the importance of citizens’ vigilance in preventing disasters,” Abdul added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Osun State Government has provided free train ride to indigenes of the state willing to travel to Osun for Easter celebration.

Mr Augustine Arisa, District Manager, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to Arisa, the state government always provides free train service to its indigenes every festive period.

“This is to enable the people of Osun to go home for the festive periods.

“We carry them from Ido, Agege. As the train moves, it carries them. Even people who are going to Ibadan still enter and drop there because they know it’s on the route.

“The NRC provides free train ride to everyone on the route, whether they are going to Osun or not.

“As far as they are along that route, we carry them. We don’t ask if they are indigenes or not,” he said.

He said that the government of Osun had always collaborated with the Nigerian Railway Authority to give the free train ride.

“This ensures that Osun people travel for the festive holidays without much stress,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ehigimetor Igbaugba/Ijeoma Popoola

By Alex Enebeli

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State says his administration is planning for an intra-rail system that will link major lines with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to boost trade in the state.

Mbah disclosed this when the Managing Director, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa and the Management team of the corporation paid him a working visit at the Government House, Enugu.

He said the idea became necessary as efforts were in top gear by the state and other states in the region to create a common market which required the provision of certain enablers such as seamless rail system to fast-track trades.

The governor expressed delight over the efforts of the management to revitalise the NRC and restore it to its glorious days.

Mbah recalled that the revitalisation of the Eastern Railway Corridor was one of the demands made by South-East leaders and also approved by President Bola Tinubu during his visit to Enugu earlier in the year.

He pledged to support the NRC’s clinic to function optimally and also protect the corporation’s facilities against acts of vandalism and encroachment.

Earlier, Opeifa told Mbah that the Enugu-Port Harcourt Railway Project was already receiving attention as one of the top priority projects of the Federal Government.

He said that the project had been getting a fair share of the national budget, explaining that he was in the state to reaffirm management’s commitment to fostering cooperation with the state government in areas of mutual interest.

Opeifa pledged continuous synergy with the state to revamp the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu Rail Line on the Eastern Corridor since there were increasing demands for it by the people, who were mostly into business and trading.

“The whole essence of this visit is to deepen our relationship and collaboration with the state government under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah.

“I also want you to know that the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Enugu City share a common history,” he added.

He further said that Enugu, under Mbah, was doing what the corporation was watching out for in terms of the enabling infrastructure such as the transport terminals that the corporation was poised to take advantage of.

“Enugu State is doing what the Nigerian Railway is looking forward to. The building of road transport terminals by the administration is what we are trying to take advantage of in our railway corridors.

“I came to discuss about it. The discussion has been on. So, I only came to affirm it.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu had already issued a directive to the corporation to fashion out mutual relationship with the state and work out initiatives that would engender a seamless transportation for economic prosperity.

While enjoining the state to take advantage of the Eastern Line when completed, the MD appealed to the governor to strengthen security around their assets, which had come under vandalism by notorious scrap dealers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria has significantly reduced its importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said this during the Meet-the-Press briefing series organised by the Presidential Communications Team (PTC) at the State House in Abuja.

Ahmed said the county’s PMS daily importation had dropped from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13.

He attributed the 30-million-litre drop in imports to increased contributions from local refineries.

Ahmed also disclosed that local production of petrol surged by 670 per cent during the same period.

He credited the rise to the gradual restart of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in November 2024, along with added output from modular refineries across the country.

“After contributing virtually nothing in August 2024, local plants delivered 26.2 million litres per day in early April, a jump from the 3.4 million litres recorded in September 2024, which was the first month with measurable output.”

He, however, said that in spite of the growth in domestic supply, total national supply exceeded the government’s 50 million litres per day consumption benchmark.

“Only twice within the eight-month period—56 million litres in November 2024 and 52.3 million litres in February, 2025.

He added that the month of March 2025 saw a slight dip to 51.5 million litres per day, while the first half of April recorded an even lower average of 40.9 million litres per day.

Ahmed emphasised that the NMDPRA issues import licenses strictly in line with national supply requirements, underscoring the authority’s commitment to balancing imports with growing local production capacity.

He called for a collective national effort in protecting and maintaining Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.

According to him, all stakeholders – including security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and oil companies must work together to secure national energy assets.

“It takes all of us — government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth—to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.

The CEO also stressed that local government authorities and international oil companies (IOCs) such as NNPCL, as well as indigenous companies, must take responsibility in ensuring that oil assets are protected and maintained.

“Until we all commit to safeguarding these national assets, we should stop pointing fingers,” he added.

Ahmed reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the midstream and downstream sectors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni