Building collapse: BCPG honours Lagos monarch, emphasises high construction standards

The paramount ruler of Igbobi Sabe, Yaba, His Royal Majesty Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi, has been honoured by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Yaba Cell for his significant role in safeguarding Yaba from building collapses.

The recognition was conferred during a courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace by members of the guild.

Coordinator of the BCPG Yaba Cell, Bayo Ogunrinde, highlighted Yaba’s legacy as a hub of educational institutions offering building-related courses, including Yaba College of Technology, the University of Lagos, and others.

Ogunrinde noted that Yaba’s reputation as a centre of excellence in construction must be upheld, adding that any case of building collapse in the area would contradict its status.

Wale Karunwi, a registered builder, praised the foundational training he received from Yaba College of Technology in the 1970s, which he credited for his success in the industry. Similarly, Dr David Adio-Moses, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, emphasised the robust training given to architectural students in Yaba.

Despite these efforts, General Secretary of the BCPG Yaba Cell, Funmi Olaitan, expressed concerns over incidents of building collapse in the area. She cited the collapse of a four-storey hostel under construction at Akanbi Crescent, Onike, in February 2022, which claimed five lives, and a similar collapse of a five-storey building on Commercial Avenue in 2015.

Olaitan lamented that some developers in Yaba disregard safety standards, a situation that necessitated a sensitisation walk organised by the BCPG Yaba Cell in 2014. During the walk, led by Friday Chukwu, shocking discoveries of quack builders at various sites were made, leading to arrests by the police.

Another BCPG leader, Kayode Ogunji, an estate surveyor and valuer, condemned the trend of demolishing strong heritage buildings in the name of urban regeneration and replacing them with substandard multi-storey structures.

The event also featured remarks from dignitaries, including the Pioneer National President of BCPG, Kunle Awobodu, who urged developers to emulate the quality of the multi-storey WAEC building in Yaba, which has withstood the test of time.

National Vice President of BCPG, Imeh Udoh, expressed concern over the reckless sale of solid heritage buildings to developers, while Felix Chi-kwu of the neighbouring Lagos Mainland Cell warned Yaba landlords against replicating the mistakes seen in Ebute-Metta.

Responding to the recognition, Oba Adeniyi reiterated his commitment to maintaining building standards in Yaba, a cosmopolitan area with a rich history of compliance with regulations. He noted that the durability of pre-independence buildings in the area reflects the adherence to building standards in those times.

The Lisa of Igbobi-Sabe, Chief Adewale Owoyemi, called on youths to embrace technical education to develop construction skills. He urged parents to discard the perception that technical colleges were for less academically inclined students.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the Baale of Abule-Ijesha, Chief Kolawole Alli-Dawodu, who praised BCPG for their grassroots efforts in promoting safe building practices.