The recent incidents of building collapse in Nigeria underscore the urgent need for stringent regulatory measures to prevent such tragedies.
Development Diaries reports that a section of a two-storey residential apartment recently collapsed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with several people trapped in the rubble, less than 24 hours after a school building collapsed on pupils in Plateau State, killing 22 and injuring 132 people.
These recent events have raised concerns about the safety and integrity of structures across the country and what should be done to prevent future occurrences.
A recent report by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild revealed that Nigeria experienced 135 building collapse incidents and at least 26 deaths between 2022 and 2024.
Apart from the fact that inferior materials are used during construction works, there is also the issue of lack of thorough supervision by the relevant agencies of government.
What is the Standard Organsiation of Nigeria (SON) doing in the area of ensuring standardised production of building materials in the country?
Also, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) is mandated to encourage the standardisation and improvement of construction techniques and materials, and is also empowered to regulate the practice of building construction, maintenance, and management in the country.
There has to be a comprehensive review and enforcement of existing building codes and standards.
The state governments, in collaboration with professional bodies like the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), should ensure that these regulations are not only up-to-date but strictly adhered to.
It is expected that there should be mandatory inspections at various stages of construction, ensuring the use of quality materials, and certifying the competence of construction professionals involved in building projects.
Also, it is crucial to enhance the capacity and accountability of regulatory agencies. These agencies should be well-funded, equipped with the latest technology, and staffed with trained professionals capable of conducting thorough inspections and audits.
Additionally, regular training and certification programmes should be instituted for builders, contractors, and engineers to keep them abreast of best practices and emerging trends in construction.
Furthermore, the establishment of a whistleblowing mechanism will encourage citizens to report substandard practices, ensuring that regulatory agencies act swiftly to address potential hazards before they result in disasters.
Public awareness and community engagement are also vital in curbing building collapses. Educational campaigns should be launched to inform the public about the importance of building regulations and the dangers of cutting corners in construction.
Development Diaries calls for on CORBON, COREN, and NIOB to ensure stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations to prevent incidents of building collapse in Nigeria.
We also call on SON to monitor the production of building materials to prevent the production of substandard materials for buildings in the country.
Photo source: Muhammad Tanko Shittu / AFP
