Abuja: The Federal Government has urged stakeholders in the building and construction sector to find lasting solutions to incessant building collapses across the country. The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, delivered this charge at the National Conference on the Building/Construction sector held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, organized by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), focused on the theme ‘Adherence to Standard Practices: Bedrock of Sustainable Development in the Building/Construction Sector.’ The country has witnessed numerous building collapses in recent years, with Lagos State recording the highest number of incidents. The Building Collapse Prevention Guild reports that Lagos has seen more than 351 buildings collapse over the past 50 years, representing 55.28 percent of the total 635 cases across Nigeria.
Sen. John Enoh emphasized the importance of ensuring safer and more reliable structures, urging industry stakeholders
to collaborate for the common purpose of safety. He highlighted the need for a focus on pre-construction, construction, and post-construction regulatory and enforcement frameworks to promote public awareness and enhance capacity building. Enoh reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens, stressing that ending building collapses is a priority.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, the Director-General of SON, expressed concern about the lack of awareness among industry stakeholders regarding the standards required for safe and sustainable buildings. He pointed out that this knowledge gap extends beyond construction workers to suppliers and building professionals. Okeke underscored the necessity of training and education to align with international best practices while meeting the demand for affordable housing without compromising quality. He affirmed SON’s commitment to promoting safe practices and maintaining quality standards.
Furthermore, Prof. Sadiq
Abubakar, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), stressed the importance of adhering to standards in building construction. He recognized the efforts of SON in developing and domesticating codes and standards in collaboration with stakeholders, while urging the adaptation of foreign codes to address Nigeria’s local conditions and peculiarities. Abubakar advocated for a robust monitoring framework, effective regulation, and diligent enforcement to ensure adherence to standard practices.