Building collapse due to compromise in structural integrity ― Expert

An expert in the building industry, Dr Christopher Emefiele, said the incessant building collapse often witness in major cities across the country is due to a compromise in the structural integrity of a building’s components and elements.

Emefiele, who is a recipient of multiple awards in the field of engineering, said the menace had often resulted in eventual failure including structural thereby leading to the loss of load-carrying capacity of a structural component.

Emefiele in an exclusive interview with Tribune on the need to arrest the menace in Abuja and Nigeria at large explained that failure in structural integrity had been traced to the desire of some developers to cut corners in the face of the high cost of building materials.

According to him, many developers tend to use sub-standard materials to cut costs and raise profit margins thereby endangering lives.

He blamed such negligence on inefficient regulation, poor supervision, incompetent artisans, and ignorance on the part of the contractor

He said outright jettisoning of building codes and specifications has also contributed to the menace of building collapse in the country.

He, however, said for the menace to be arrested there was a need for the Federal Government to enact the National Building Code, put in place a Construction Industry Commission

Others according to him, include training and retraining of building practitioners and strict adherence to quality building materials according to specifications.

He also demanded adequate improvement in its safety performance from the planning stage of building projects, by adopting measures to stop the menace.

This according to him includes giving quality control and quality assurance high priority in the execution of building projects to curb early collapse.

He said lack of capacity had long been identified as the clog in the wheel of appropriate building control, adding that it was imperative for professionalism to be exhibited in all stages of the infrastructure project cycle.

This includes from concept to planning, to design, to construction and maintenance stages, stating that professionalism was key to ensuring the sustainability of infrastructure.

He said professionals were enjoined to exhibit a high level of professionalism by adhering to their professional ethics when discharging their duties.

He bemoaned highly level of poor design and lack of periodic assessment and maintenance, adding that building collapse often cast doubt on professionalism in the country.

He said further actions were necessary on the part of government regulatory bodies to establish measures that would bring enforcement of standards in the construction industry in Nigeria.

“We must look at the national building code and enact legislation that will prescribe very serious punishments for defaulters who put up building structures without making use of professionals and quality materials.”

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