COREN and building collapse

It is beyond doubt that shoddy workmanship is often behind structural failures. This is facilitated by officials who compromise their site supervisory duties, and property owners who, in their apparent ignorance, would want to get more for less. But it is ludicrous that COREN would suggest the death penalty to address the problem. It is […]

It is beyond doubt that shoddy workmanship is often behind structural failures. This is facilitated by officials who compromise their site supervisory duties, and property owners who, in their apparent ignorance, would want to get more for less. But it is ludicrous that COREN would suggest the death penalty to address the problem. It is illogical that property owners would intentionally waste their money in erecting structures that they know could collapse. Building collapse may be due to application of substandard materials and the engagement of incompetent or unqualified artisans. Non-compliance with specifications and standards due to weak supervision could also be a factor.  Moreover, lax enforcement of building codes and the endemic poor work ethic in some professions has been cited in many reports on building collapse in the country. According to COREN, the problem of low grade cement in Nigeria has been overcome, and the activities of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) have significantly reduced the importation of poor quality building materials. However despite these claims, at least one anti-corruption network has advised the government to outlaw the use of 32.5 grade cement known to be widely used in Nigeria, but is banned in many countries such as the United States, India and China. That particular grade of cement is good only for plastering; but many contractors use it for pillars, columns and beams, leading to structural failures and collapse. Of Nigerian cities, Lagos is the worst hit with incidents of collapsed buildings. Not only are new buildings collapsing but buildings constructed over ten years ago, suddenly give way. In May last year, the state government set up a six-man Tribunal of Enquiry into such incidents.  The incidence of collapsed building is widespread all over the country.
On a national scale, the government should ensure inspections on ongoing projects are professionally done. The procedure that allows only the architect and the surveyor to sign the appropriate documents to attest to the integrity of the structures should be strengthened. Often people submit plan to build a one-storey structure, but illegally add more floors during actual construction. Effective supervision should eliminate this practice that puts lives at risk. Many architects act as building contractors when that duty properly belongs to structural engineers and building technologists.  Before any development takes place on a parcel of land, soil tests and topographical surveys should be carried out to determine the suitability of the structure for the site; but this is seldom done.
 The solution therefore does not lay in the imposition of death penalty, but in a deep analysis of the real factors and provision of a proper legal framework to empower town planning authorities to perform their functions.   As part of the solution, the services of building technology graduates of the country’s universities and polytechnics should be engaged as inspectors to check every stage of building construction and certify them. Government should also license building contractors who must have a recognized qualification, as well as enforce an easily understandable building code.  
If the relevant insurance firms did their work properly, ensuring that every building adheres to the minimum standards, the spate of building collapse would be minimised, if not eliminated entirely.