Group gives fresh insights into building collapse causes, prevention

Building professionals under the aegis of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) have provided fresh insights into the causes of, and prevention methods for building collapse which has become a common feature of Nigeria’s built environment.

The group which is disturbed by the growing incidence of building collapse in the country, has stressed the need for stakeholders in the building industry to see prevention as the best approach to tackling the menace.

Speaking during an interactive session at the just concluded Nigeria Institute of Architects, Lagos State Chapter Forum 2013, Kunle Awobudu, BCPG President, commended members of the association for their efforts so far.

He also commended them for responding promptly to emergency calls, noting however, that the struggle against building collapse must continue.

Awobudu disclosed that Femi Falana, a Lagos lawyer, has volunteered to act as the association’s legal adviser, hoping that this will enable the association have a legal backing to withstand any form of threat while discharging its duties as expected.

Aderonke Oyelami, Treasurer, BCPG Lagos, maintained that prevention remains the cheapest and best approach to combating the high rate of building collapse.

She urged her colleagues to aid the guild’s cause by designing to client’s budget, so they don’t get stuck financially and ultimately abandon projects.

Continuing, she condemned the use of sub-standard building materials by professionals, noting that this is as a major cause of building collapse.

She enjoyed professionals to patronize only trusted manufacturers when purchasing building materials for clients.

Other stake holders at the forum also highlighted soil test before construction as a major preventive method which, they said, has been neglected.

Oyelami advised that it it’s important for the association to also enlighten the public on its duties and procedures, requesting them to alert the guild on identifying any building not found environment-friendly.

She suggested that the guilds should open a Facebook page, describing it as an effective medium to circulate information. “This can be used by anybody in getting through to members of the guild; in addition, members of the public can also post pictures of any building they suspect not habitable in their neighborhood ”, she said.

ODINAKA MBONU