Stakeholders blame building collapse on poor regulations

Stakeholders in the built environment have argued that the non-enforcement of sustainable construction principles was responsible for the majority of the building collapses in the country.

A professor of construction management at the University of Cape Town, Abimbola Windapo, said if the government fails to take proactive measures to ensure and enforce compliance with sustainable construction principles, the country will continue to witness increased building collapses.

Windapo said this at a virtual meeting organised by the Eko EnvirotalkTV themed “Contemporary Issues in Building Collapse and its Implications for Sustainable Development in Lagos, Nigeria” recently.

She said, “In the future, it is likely that the construction industry stakeholders will be reluctant to do away with unsustainable practices because they are already part of them.

“Therefore, more cases of building collapse will be witnessed, if the government does not take proactive action by ensuring and enforcing compliance with sustainable construction principles.

“Building collapse has serious implications for the socioeconomic development of Lagos State and Nigeria. And it must be tackled decisively in order to secure a more sustainable future. Prevention is often said to be better than cure.”

She noted that environmental, human, and technical factors were responsible for building collapse and further urged the government and other built environment stakeholders to tackle the root causes.

The professor urged professionals to practice within the limits of their training and stop hijacking other experts’ roles.

Windapo also urged the government to introduce a reward system.

Meanwhile, she called for proactive measures, including a reward system by the government for people who adhere to construction principles.

She said,” The government should be giving people awards. We only hear about the negative side. What about the people doing the right things? What has been done to encourage them? What about those developers and the clients who are doing the right thing, building the right structures?

“In addition to awards, clients, and developers who complied with building laws should be given tax reliefs and other incentives to nip build collapse in the bud.”

Similarly, an estate surveyor, Olorunyomi Alatise, in an exclusive interview with The Punch, said construction principles border around environmental protection, safety, speed, economy, and aesthetics.

He noted, “When undertaking a construction project, it is essential to prioritise environmental protection and avoid any form of pollution. This means implementing practices that are environmentally friendly and ensuring that the construction process does not have a negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem. “Additionally, safety should be a top consideration during and after construction, ensuring that the end users are safe and secure.”

He asserted that the construction process should be undertaken with safety in mind to prevent accidents or injuries to workers, and the resulting structure should be safe for use by the public.

“To ensure that the construction project is completed within the projected timeline, speed is also an essential factor to consider. Delays in construction can lead to increased costs and other potential challenges, and it is crucial to complete the project within the agreed timeframe.

“However, while prioritising speed, it is essential to ensure that the cost of construction remains reasonable without compromising quality.”

According to him, aesthetics also play a crucial role in any construction project.

“The design of the structure should be visually appealing and of high quality, making it a valuable addition to the surrounding environment.Overall, adherence to these factors is crucial in ensuring that construction projects are successful and do not result in unexpected collapses or failures,” Alatise maintained.