The collapse of the Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo that killed scores of worshippers and injured many more is one too many of such incident in recent times. But, as if it was not enough, nine days after, market stalls collapsed and reportedly killed two and injured about 17 others in the same state. The collapse of buildings is not limited to Akwa Ibom State. Indeed it has become a recurrent embarrassment all over the federation but especially in urban areas. In Kano this August, five persons reportedly escaped death when a three-storey building under construction in Kano State University of Technology gave way; in Abuja, a structure under construction for a private company collapsed, trapping some workers under the rubbles. And in Lagos, structures large and small so often collapse, the most remembered in recent times being a guest house owned by The Synagogue Church of All Nations that killed over 100 persons, most of whom were foreigners. The incident nearly provoked a diplomatic row between South Africa and Nigeria.
Besides those that are triggered by natural disasters of which Nigeria has very few incidents thereof, repeated events of collapsed building indicate glaringly the shoddiness of work done by just about everyone concerned with construction. It is evidence of non-adherence to the rules and standards of construction. At the first level of liability in varying degrees therefore, the developer, the contractor, the consultants in relevant professions must be held to account. Did the developer hire and was he prepared to pay for a sufficiently competent and experienced contractor for a work of the magnitude? Did the contractor hire competent and experienced soil, structural, electrical, mechanical and other relevant engineers? It is not unusual that some clients are ‘penny wise and pound foolish’ when confronted with the cost of, in some cases, their ego-driven, projects. It is axiomatic, however, that you pay for a short-cut in the long- run. But the burden upon true professionals is to insist on adherence to high standards, for the sake of their own reputation, as well as the safety of future users of the building.On the second level of liability, government building inspectors are supposed to identify, inspect, and monitor the construction of buildings in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Ministries and departments of works at various tiers of government have professionals who are supposed to ensure that developers of buildings -large and small – adhere to rules and regulations, including the quantity and quality of construction materials.
It is difficult not to conclude, generally, that many persons are simply derelict in their respective duties for reasons that range from penny-pinching through greed to unprofessional compromise. The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has observed that there is sufficient reason to believe that the trusses used for the roof of the Uyo church building were inadequate to support such span, and their anchorages to the columns and beams were also inadequate.Egotism is sometimes the cause of hastily constructed buildings. It is not uncommon in this environment for clients to insist that contractors hurriedly put up a building to be ready for a birthday or a wedding anniversary. But, of course, all these are symptoms of a dysfunctional system where rules are observed in the breach and nearly everyone has his price, where the personal good overrides the public good.
The government of Akwa Ibom has promised to institute an inquiry into the cause of the collapse of Reigners Bible Church building. Very well. But this should be done with thoroughness and dispatch. The major reason these sad incidents recur is that hardly are culprits punished to deter others. The case of The Synagogue Church has dragged on for more than two years, professional bodies do not go tough enough on their members found wanting in the discharge of professional duties. COREN’s proposed committee to, in the words of its president Kashim Ali, ‘identify the consultants, designers, builders, and contractors that are involved in the project…’ is a helpful contribution in the state government’s inquiry. Other professional and or regulatory bodies should act similarly.
The Akwa Ibom State government commission of inquiry should also set new high standards by ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done in this matter regardless of whose ox is gored. It will serve to deter criminal negligence on the one hand, and save lives on the other.

http://t.guardian.ng/opinion/one-collapsed-building-too-many/

Engineering supervision is of great concern!

...

k

too many sad news in Nigeria of recent. God save us all

poor or bad engineering

Ok... Next

The engineers are to blame, some new houses even have cracks on the wall

How many people have been convicted for collapsed buildings?

quark engineers everywhere

who to blame for this ooo... hummmmmm. BUHARIIII

pators

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when you want to use 50k to erect a building worth 3million....
that's what you get





so Mnge dey Front page ...... oya dab...! ;Dwhen you want to use 50k to erect a building worth 3million....
that's what you get





so Mnge dey Front page ...... oya dab...!

because she is not a serious country. period!
na playplay (wasa) she be

‎While we should blame the contractors for shabby work done, the clients shouldn't be left out. You tell a client how things should be done and they tell you "but my brother did it this way". They don't even want to hear you out, they just feel you want to make money off them. Just yesterday I saw something on front page about someone who wanted to do "4 units of 3 bedroom flats" and how he was considering dropping the Architect for a bricklayer because he thought the Architect was being wasteful. Some will even hire their relatives who know nothing about construction just so they can save money. These are the reasons I find it difficult going into construction full time.‎

hmmm

The solution to this menace lies in the enactment of the National Building code before the National Assembly

Wat do u expect in a nation where massons and carpenters ar engineers handling projects.while engineers nw begs them to work under them

House

Many people in busy parts of Lagos build houses in every available space in their compound...without all necessary materials.



Then Nigerian masons are not too good...the ones from Benin republic will do a great job and even advice u on best material to use.

d

when the inside is dirt corrupted, souless

what do you expect?
very bad terrible product.

the building allied industries proffessionals should rise up and protect their industry from demonic humans who have nearly finished the education sector and are now coming for your sector.

What do u xpect when when corruption has become normal thing that we must practice to the xtend that we are even teaching our children how to do it. Imagine the way our brothers and sisters are passing their exams today...A PARALLEL something we know it is not possible compare to what usually happened then but we don't see it as corruption, it is only when corruption against us that everyone would come out to blame those whom enjoy it at that moment.
Certainly, engineers should be blamed as far as construction is concern but the question is, why those law enforcement always failed to do their job if they are not corrupt too so, everybody is to be blamed.