Tragic Death of Nigerian Doctor Vwaere Diaso in Elevator Crash: 5 Insights into Corruption & Neglect of Public Infrastructure

At the staff quarters of the General Hospital in Odan, Lagos, a tragic incident which claimed the life of medical doctor, Vware Diaso while on a faulty elevator. This incident clearly showcases the lack of maintenance and bypassing safety precautions when it comes to public infrastructure. 

There were reports that the said elevator had been faulty for the past three years with complaints ignored and no action taken to reinstate the malfunctioning elevator. Dr. Diaso, who had just two weeks to complete her compulsory one-year housemanship for medical students fell from the 10th floor trapped inside the elevator  while the management of the hospital kept mum as at the time of writing this report. 

This article looks into the depths of some inadequate safety precautions for public infrastructure.

Negligence in the aircraft sector

According to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) there are several instances that have been linked to corruption and negligence in several aircraft crash cases. One of the incidents involved was Aero Contractors’ Boeing 737-500, where the pilot’s failure to discover a locked pressure Regulating Shut Off Valve (PRSOV) and monitor the pressurization system caused a diversion to Abuja claiming about 108 lives in 2015.

Another is the Gitto Construczioni Generali Nigeria Limited’s Bell 407 helicopter accident at the Uyo airport on October 21, 2009 which was attributed to improper maintenance of the oil system, leading to power loss. The negligence as well as the pilot’s decision to continue the flight without identifying a transmission chip detector problem contributed to the incident. 

Rotten facilities in public schools

Instances of facilities rot in public schools due to corruption and negligence have also been reported in various states across the country. In Enugu State, several secondary schools lack functional libraries and proper infrastructure such as a school named Ugwuoba Girls’ Secondary School, raised security concerns due to lack of fencing, leading to incidents of rape and drug use on school premises. 

In Cross River State, a shortage of classrooms at schools like West African People’s Institute results in teachers and pupils resorting to shifts for schooling with many classrooms dilapidated, and pupils often sit on the floor in Akwa Ibom. At the Sultan Attahiru Ahmadu Secondary School in Sokoto, a nearby waste dump poses health hazards, and miscreants enter the school compound, threatening safety. These cases highlight the urgent need for better planning, monitoring, and investment in public school infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment and prevent social vices.

Bad roads has caused several death

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) once raised concerns about the deplorable state of Nigerian roads, linking it to the increased rate of kidnappings, banditry, and armed robbery in the country. The deplorable state of Nigerian roads has become a breeding ground for kidnappings, armed robbery, and banditry with some families who fell victim to daring gunmen in Ogun State, where the roads were riddled with potholes and craters which criminals take advantage of these bad spots to attack and abduct travelers. 

The situation is not limited to just highways, other notorious kidnapping hotspots include several other major roads across the country.The poorly constructed and maintained roads, coupled with corruption and inadequate security presence, have made the situation worse. Despite budgeting millions for road maintenance, many roads remain deadly traps, causing accidents, kidnappings, and loss of lives. 

The disparagingly news in the health sector

It’s no news that the government is known to neglect public infrastructure, including healthcare, leading to medical negligence and deaths in Nigerian hospitals. Patients had died due to unattended emergencies, while survivors endure severe consequences like loss of body parts with medical practitioners overwhelmed and frustrated by poor remuneration, lack of facilities, and corruption.

The sudden death of Dr Diaso is a typical case of negligence and lack of safe care routine in different public hospitals across the country. Additionally, the slow justice system discourages victims from seeking redress or an address to the crumbling health sector, saving lives and preventing further suffering.

Consequence of corruption in Nigeria’s power sector

The power sector in Nigeria suffers from chronic neglect, corruption, and negligence, resulting in tragic deaths. Lack of maintenance and outdated equipment lead to frequent power outages and electrocutions. In one incident, three people were electrocuted when a high-tension wire fell on their house due to poor infrastructure.

In another case, a hospital lost electricity during a critical surgery, leading to the patient’s death. Rampant corruption diverts funds meant for power infrastructure improvement, exacerbating the situation. The power sector’s dismal state has severe consequences on healthcare, industries, and ordinary citizens. Urgent action is needed to address the systemic issues and prioritize the power sector’s revival to prevent further loss of lives.