THE frequent cases of building collapse in Nigeria, particularly Delta State, has become an issue of great concern to the people considering the enormous loss of human lives and properties. As the incidents continue to generate attention and condemnation, the only panacea is to explore the factors necessitating the development and possible solutions to end the menace.
The shocking revelation by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) that the country experienced 135 building collapse incidents, with no fewer than 26 deaths between 2022 and 2024 should spur action by relevant authorities.
In recent times, Delta State has experienced some cases of building collapse, especially within the capital territory, where houses under construction cave in, resulting in some deaths and many injuries.
Areas, where such incidents were recorded, include an uncompleted storey building at Anwai Road by the Camp 74 Junction axis, a storey building housing the Salvation Ministry on Okpanam Road, a seven-storey building under construction by Inter-Bau Roundabout, Asaba, which left eight persons injured, and a two-storey hotel building under construction that recently collapsed in Okpanam.
The story is about the same across the country, especially in Abuja, Anambra, Lagos, Kaduna etc. These states have recorded several cases of building collapse with many either dead or injured.
The severe risk posed to lives and property by frequent building collapse is indeed immeasurable. Besides, the psychological, economic, and social impact is as alarming as it is threatening. Apart from human loss, there are also business losses and far reaching environmental damage.
Before the recent upsurge, incidence of building collapses were minimal, unlike what has now become the case of intensified threats to life by defective buildings.
Analysts have attributed the increasing records to weak foundations, poor quality building materials, poor mixing of materials by construction workers, excessive loads or pressure on building strength, and low testing of building strength. Also, structural defects, poor supervision at sites and workmanship, faulty design, negligence of approved plans, hurried execution of building projects, and lack of maintenance of existing structures have been linked to building collapses. As the incidents continue to rage, professionals and the authorities have continued to proffer possible solutions to the menace. We appreciate the revelation of the Delta State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Engr. Michael Anoka who indicated that the state government has plans to prevent future building collapses by implementing stricter construction regulations and safety standards.
But, we believe that a solution to the menace must go beyond the current rhetorics of announcing plans of abatement without follow-up actions. This is because human lives and properties are currently in dire danger and genuine efforts should be made to save the situation. Resolving the problems associated with frequent building collapse incidents, requires the government at all levels to ensure that all regulatory agencies live up to their expectations. Part of the problem is traceable to corrupt practices, especially among field officers who should serve as development control agents. Consequently, any officer supervising a defective structure should be sanctioned.
This implies that all those responsible for monitoring development and facilities, including officials of lands and survey, urban development, and task forces set up by the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), among others, should intensify their site inspections and report erring developers appropriately.
Succinctly put, building supervisors and regulatory agencies must execute regulatory compliance, strict adherence to structural designs, and overall building regulations.
In the same vein, we also advocate that developers must make provisions for enough quality materials, use professional supervisors, maintain existing buildings plans, and ensure that qualified construction workers are engaged.
Building collapses have posed an enormous challenge to society and this is the appropriate time to confront and put an end to the menace.
