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The regulatory body governing the practice of engineering, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, has revealed that Nigeria recorded 22 building collapses and 33 deaths between January and July 2024.

This was disclosed by the President of COREN, Sadiq Abubakar, at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abubakar spoke at the news conference themed, “The Incessant Spate of Building Collapse in Nigeria in Recent Times – A Call for Sustainable Collaboration by All Stakeholders.”

He revealed that from January to 14 July, at least 22 cases of building collapse were reported in Nigeria. With Lagos State, accounting for 27.27 per cent. While Abuja and Anambra 18.18 per cent each.

The President added that Ekiti and Plateau States followed with 9.09 per cent each. While Kano, Taraba and Niger States accounted for 4.55 per cent each.

He said, “Records also showed that Lagos State takes the lead in the incidences of building collapse.

“As a matter of fact, over 91 buildings have collapsed. Resulting in the death of over 354 persons in Lagos from 2012 to date.

“Similarly, in Abuja, about 30 buildings have collapsed from 1993 till date. Resulting in the death of more than 64 persons and injuring of many.

“The most recent occurrences of building collapse close to DMGS Onitsha, Anambra State on June 12. And that of a school (Saint Academy) in Plateau on July 13 where 22 students died. And 134 injured as well as the building collapse in Kubwa, Abuja.”

Describing the incidents as worrisome, Abubakar said the incidents call for deep reflection. He, therefore, called the collaboration of all stakeholders in stemming the tide of the occurrence.

He said, “While we commiserate with all victims and families, we want to commend the efforts of all emergency and security services for their prompt response at the time.’’

The COREN President, however, pointed that the leading causes of building collapse vary from one location to the other.

He said, “Some buildings collapse as a result of aging. And based on investigations and research conducted over time, the use of substandard construction materials and structural failure were also responsible.

Abubakar added that other factors for building collapse included illegal change of use of buildings. He also, pointed out the illegal addition of floors on building, use quackery, and inadequate or lack of supervision and oversight.

Other factors, he said, included faulty foundations, a lack of soil/geotechnical investigation, and sharp and corrupt practices.

The COREN President used the occasion to commend the respective affected State Governments. He praised them for constituting a panel of inquiry to investigate the various cases. And to find the immediate and remote causes and preventing future occurrences.

He said, “This is not the time for apportioning blame. Or contest of superiority within the built environment. But a time for all stakeholders to unite and proffer workable and lasting solutions. Particularly in the prevention of building collapses.

“All professionals within the built environment have a role to play in this.”

“In this regard, we have identified and categorized many stakeholders that we will be engaging shortly,’’ he said

Abubakar added that the proliferation of illegal miners even within residential areas, is a contributing factor. He said, this finding as reported in some quarters, was a danger to the structural stability of buildings.

The President stated that the COREN had, therefore, urged affected States to take urgent steps to reverse the trend. He added that it was also time to enforce the compulsory insurance of some buildings under construction.

Abubakar informed that the Council had taken some steps in monitoring and preventing building collapses. This is said is by training and licensing Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) inspectors.

He said, “COREN had reconstituted its Council Committee on Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM). And the Council has also added an additional role of enforcement to its responsibility in line with the amended COREN Act.

The President added that COREN had constituted an ERM&E Task Force at regional levels. These include Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, FCT, Gombe, and Lagos, among other steps to tackle building collapse.

 

source: NAN

 

 

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