The series of horrendous, tear jerking tragedies of the recurring decimal of building collapse so far recorded in Nigeria is inexcusable.

And that is because virtually all the incidents could have been prevented. It is on record that the country has experienced 135 of such between 2022 and 2024 resulting in the deaths of 26 people.

This calls for urgent preventive measures and of course, strict penalties for those found culpable, to drastically reduce, or bring an end to the mindless menace.

For instance, it is on record that since the first building collapse recorded in October 1974, which took place in Oyo State and sent 27 people to their early graves, several others have taken place.

In spite of having in place the Building Collapse Preventions Guild (BCPG), with the noble aim to prevent building collapse and to promote safe and sustainable building practices nationwide, the horrifying incident persists, leading to several casualties.

A surge in the incident in recent years speaks volumes about the gross failure on the part of the agencies responsible for enforcing strict compliance with the set standards on erecting buildings – both in the private and public sectors. The reported collapse of the tallest building in Lagos on November 1, 2021 stated that 52 people died.

In 2022 alone there were 62 building collapses with Lagos accounting for 20 of them. Similarly, in 2023 another 52 of such took place with 17 in Lagos metropolis. Also on May 30, 2023, a four storey building collapsed in Lagos Island with the rubbles entrapping an unknown number of people.

For this year, 2024 there have been 17 so far recorded, with five in Lagos, three in Anambra State and one each in Kano, Niger and Plateau states.

But the recent incidents of the collapse of the Saints Academy, a secondary school in Jos, Plateau State that had 200 students trapped, and that which took place in Phase 2, Site 2 in Kubwa, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja which had 20 people trapped have drawn much public outrage. Such a bloodletting spectacle triggers some burning questions. Has it not become pertinent for people to know about the root causes of building collapses, and why it keeps recurring in Nigeria?

What are the preventive measures required and the next steps to take against its occurrence? The answers are not far fetched. Experts in the fields of building construction, architecture, engineering

Also, of increasing significance is the need to keep members of the emergency management agency at each state and federal government levels on their toes

And related fields who are members of BCPG trace it to professional ineptitude, excessive loading and use of substandard materials in the building construction. Other factors include faulty designs, poor workmanship and of course, weak foundation. So, what are the best measures to be taken forward?

The answer lies In other states in the federation to borrow a fresh leaf from the Lagos State Government. It is worthy of note that Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu has provided a three- month window for verification and confirmation of adherence to building construction to owners of such in the state.

Furthermore, he has actively engaged with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, as he did again, precisely in December 2023. He used the opportunity to castigate real estate agents and practitioners who have not been complying with the set standards.

In a similar vein, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has stated that the latest building collapse that trapped 200 students of Saints Academy has underscored the imperative of Order 003 of the state to enforce the implementation of the Greater Jos Master Plan on building construction.

Unfortunately, the affected school was found built in a water-logged area and did not meet construction standards! But instead of waiting for the collapse of buildings and for leaders to start trading blames, the agencies responsible for enforcing the standards should be hard at work, going round to do the needful on a daily basis.

Also, of increasing significance is the need to keep members of the emergency management agency at each state and Federal Government level on their toes.

Promptitude plays a vital role in reducing casualties. For instance, it was discovered that though the building collapse that took place in Kubwa was at about 7 am, the rescue team could not get there until about 8.45 am due to faulty cranes.

Above all, we are also of similar opinion to that of the Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Dr. Samson Opaluwa, that members should be allowed to manage construction sites, control usage and quality of building materials used.

Similarly, there should be punishment for all those found to have violated building construction standards to save precious lives and valuable property and serve as effective deterrence to others with similar inclinations.

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