Experts list pitfalls in checking building collapse

Experts in building industry have argued that it would be impossible to eliminate collapse building due to inability to ensure accurate cement composition and poor concrete works.

The experts who spoke at the Annual Conference of Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical Mining and Materials Engineers (NIMMME) in Abuja, maintained that high quality of building materials are scarce in the country.

Prof. Danladi S. Matawal of Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, NBRRI said improprieties in reinforcement steel and reduction in the sizes were responsible for high rate of failures of building.

He also stressed that standard of construction materials, like cement and steel rods need to be carefully monitored to completely eliminate building collapse and road pavements.

According to him, measures are instituted to reduce collapse, control and management of engineering materials combined with other factors to stop the current sporadic incidences.

On his part, the institution’s National Chairman, Prof. Daniel Obikwelu, said the conference was apt and timely in view of multifarious challenges arising from fast-urban development.

He noted, “records show that material production and consumption constitute high positive index for development, and this translates to high human development index in the country.

The chairman therefore, cited India with HDI as low as 2.4 kilogram per capita, South Africa 90.4,while United States is 282.7,Germany 499.5,Russia 265.7,and there is no figure for Nigeria.

On Nigerian National Building Code, he said Nigerian Society Engineers community should be on the driver’s seat in its implementation in order to achieve the intentions of the government.

Also speaking, David Tetteh Chenebuah observed that building collapse is at an alarming rate due to engineering complacency and unprofessional practices, which 81 buildings collapsed within five years.