Wednesday 11 April 2012

WAEC yet to repair killer lift


The lift.


Hello Friends!
When the lives and properties of any so called reputable organization are not protected adequately, there is a huge problem! What is WAEC waiting for?

The West African Examinations Council, Yaba, Lagos, has yet to repair its collapsed lift, which killed a member of the National Union of Local Government Employees, identified simply as Fatai on March 28.

This is in spite of protests by Nigerians, particularly members of the NULGE. Nigerians are however irked by the insensitivity of WAEC to the danger the lift poses, particularly to youths who visit the place on a daily basis.

Fatai, a father of three, had fallen off the malfunctioning lift and got crushed by its shaft when he went to the WAEC office.

When our correspondent visited the examination body’s headquarters where the incident happened on Tuesday, the lift had been shut down but was still in a state of disrepair.

To stop visitors from using the lift, red and white ribbons were tied against its door.

Efforts to get WAEC’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Yusuf Ari, to speak on the issue proved abortive as he was said to be away on an official assignment.

But a source, who did not want his name mentioned, said no repair work had been done since the incident occurred.

“The organisation has yet to repair the lift but I am sure that work will commence soonest on it. You know we are just back from the Easter holiday, I’m sure that something will be done soon,” the source said.

Fatai, an employee of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area died on March 28, 2012, after falling off from the lift at the eighth floor.

According to an eyewitness’s account, Fatai was at the WAEC office to help a relative submit some documents.

He had stepped out of the lift when the doors opened midway on the eighth floor, thinking he had reached its destination, only for him to step into the air and fall off. He died instantly.

Another source, who also preferred anonymity, said if the lift had been repaired on time, the incident would have been prevented.

“The lift has not been functioning well for long, while the organisation was managing it without any indication to warn people of its problems. Maybe such incident would not have occurred,” he said.

However, Fatai’s death had set NULGE against the management of WAEC. While NULGE is demanding N1bn compensation from WAEC, the examination body is reportedly interested in footing the burial bill.

Source: Punch Metro

Simply Cheska...

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