The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has reported a disturbing increase in the rate of building collapse across the country, with 22 incidents and 33 deaths recorded between January and July 2024.
COREN President, Sadiq Abubakar, highlighted the alarming statistics during a news conference themed; “The Incessant Spate of Building Collapse in Nigeria in Recent Times – A Call for Sustainable Collaboration by All Stakeholders,” held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abubakar detailed the geographical spread of the collapses, noting that Lagos State accounted for 27.27% of the incidents, while FCT Abuja and Anambra State each reported 18.18%. Ekiti and Plateau States followed with 9.09% each, and Kano, Taraba, and Niger States each reported 4.55%.
“Records also show that Lagos leads in the incidences of building collapses,” Abubakar stated. “Over 91 buildings have collapsed in Lagos from 2012 to date, resulting in the death of over 354 persons. Similarly, in Abuja, about 30 buildings have collapsed from 1993 to date, causing more than 64 deaths and many injuries.”
He referenced recent tragic events, including the a building collapse near DMGS Onitsha, Anambra State, on June 12, and the collapse of a school building (Saint Academy) in Jos, Plateau State on July 13, which resulted in the deaths of 22 students and injuries to 134 others, as well as a collapse of a residential building in Kubwa District of Abuja.
“These incidents are worrisome and call for deep reflection and collaboration among all stakeholders to stem the tide,” Abubakar emphasized. “While we commiserate with all victims and their families, we commend the prompt response of emergency and security services.”
Abubakar attributed the leading causes of building collapses to various factors, including aging structures, the use of substandard construction materials, structural failures, illegal changes in building use, unauthorized additions of floors, quackery, inadequate supervision, and oversight. Other contributing factors include faulty foundations, lack of soil/geotechnical investigation, and corrupt practices.
He praised the efforts of affected state governments for constituting panels of inquiry to investigate the causes of these collapses and to prevent future occurrences. “This is not the time for apportioning blame or contests of superiority within the built environment but a time for all stakeholders to unite and proffer workable and lasting solutions,” he said.
Abubakar also raised concerns about the proliferation of illegal miners within residential areas, which poses a significant threat to the structural stability of buildings. He urged affected states to take urgent steps to reverse this trend and to enforce the compulsory insurance of buildings under construction.
COREN has been proactive in addressing these issues by training and licensing Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) inspectors. Abubakar mentioned that COREN had reconstituted its Council Committee on Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) and added enforcement responsibilities in line with the amended COREN Act. Furthermore, an ERM&E Task Force has been constituted at regional levels, including Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, FCT, Gombe, and Lagos, among other measures to tackle building collapses.
LEADERSHIP recalls that four buildings collapsed in the past week alone, these include; the Jos school building, the Abuja two-storey building, the Ekiti NYSC female hostel and another building Osogbo, Osun state capital.
