Building collapse: Civil engineers identify quacks in building constructions as major cause

…Two injured in fresh Lagos building collapse

….As Ambode urges occupants of distressed buildings to relocate

Motolani Oseni

Following incessant building collapse in Lagos and other parts of the country, Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers (NICE) has identified the engagement of quacks in the construction of buildings as a major cause.

This is even as two persons on Monday sustained varying injuries after another three-storey building collapsed in Lagos Island.

The incident which happened on 50 Kakawa Street brought to four the number of buildings that had collapsed in the area since the March 13 disaster that killed no fewer than 18 persons on Massey Street, Itafaaji, while the state government has pulled down 17 defective structures within the same period.

Speaking on the ceaseless building collapse in Lagos and across the country, Engineer Lola Adetona, called on Nigerians to engage qualified civil engineers whenever they are embarking on building construction.

Although, she identified other factors responsible for building collapse but lamented over the engagement of quacks in the construction of buildings.

While sympathising with the victims of the various building collapse in Lagos, she commended Lagos State government rescue agencies for their prompt attention leading to the saving of lives.

Commenting on Ita Faaji building collapse, she said that it is surprising that a residential building was converted to accommodate a school.

According to her, “Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers joins many Nigerians to commiserate with the families of victims of events that took place on 14th March and we appreciate all those who came for the rescue of victims.

“As a body of Civil Engineers when this kind of thing happened, the question we asked is, what went wrong? Is it a human factor or God- factor?

“We have realised that as of now, there is no record that civil engineers are involved in building collapse we have witnessed in recent times. As a body of professionals, we want to say we are not happy with the way things are going and we need to change the trend.

“Most quacks have taken over the construction of buildings and when you employed quacks, you get low quality of structures. We have a body of professional civil engineers, we have an institution and we go all out to ensure that our staff are trained. We trained them to erect good structures. Don’t patronise quacks, let’s go through the right procedure”, she said.

She said the NICE is ready to partner with all government parastatals and agencies towards making Lagos Building- Collapse free.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has urged occupants of marked distressed buildings across the state to immediately vacate them pending the arrival of the demolition team of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

Also, relief and resettlement centres have been opened to accommodate those affected.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, made the appeal just as a distressed three-storey building located on 50, Kakawa Street, Campos, Lagos Island collapsed on Monday without any casualty.

Ogunleye said: “The building in question had been identified as distressed by the officers of the LASBCA and all the necessary statutory notices had been duly served. It was one of the defective structures marked for removal by the Agency.