FIRM ADVOCATES COLLECTIVE ACTION TO STEM BUILDING COLLAPSE

A leading engineering and construction firm has called for urgent collective action by government, regulators, professionals, and developers to address the recurring incidents of building collapse across Nigeria.

At a stakeholders’ roundtable in Lagos, the Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Adebayo Oladimeji, stressed that building collapse remains a national emergency requiring multi-stakeholder collaboration, stricter enforcement of building codes, and improved oversight mechanisms. “No single entity can solve this problem alone. We need coordinated efforts to save lives and property,” he said.

The firm advocated for mandatory use of certified professionals at every stage of construction, regular structural audits, and severe penalties for quacks and non-compliant developers. It also proposed the adoption of modern technology, such as structural health monitoring systems, in high-rise developments.

Participants at the event, including representatives from the Nigerian Institute of Building and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, endorsed the call for a national task force on building safety.

The discussion highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns and capacity building for local government officials responsible for building approvals.

Building collapses have claimed numerous lives in recent years, particularly in Lagos and other major cities, prompting renewed calls for systemic reforms in the construction industry.