HEDA seeks probe of building collapse in Lekki, others

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has called on the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) to take immediate action against the officials implicated in the collapse of a six-storey building within Lekki Gardens Estate, Ikate, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos State.

It expressed its frustration over the lack of feedback from CORBON despite assurances of commitment to addressing the issue.

The civil society organisation, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to CORBON’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adetunji Adeniran, stressed the urgent need for accountability and enforcement of building regulations to prevent further tragedies.

The letter, according to it, was a follow-up on a previous correspondence dated February 23, 2024, which CORBON assured the organisation of its commitment to addressing any infraction in line with the Builders Registration, Act, Cap B.13 LFN 2004.

Suraju emphasised in the letter that it had been over four months without any feedback from CORBON regarding the outcomes of HEDA’s demand that CORBON, in line with Section 16 (3) of the CORBON Act, adopt the report of the investigation conducted by the technical committee set up by Lagos State Government where the committee’s report indicted officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

HEDA specifically called for the Registered Builders Investigating Panel to refer Adeigbe Olushola, Adeoye Thomas Adeyemi, Dosunmu Gbadebo and Akinde Adenike Sherifat to the registered disciplinary tribunal for appropriate sanctions under Section 16 (1) of the CORBON Act.

Suraju said: “It is also disheartening that after four months, HEDA did not receive a response from CORBON. There have been other reported cases of building collapse in Delta and Lagos states. In Lagos, a three-storey building at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland collapsed with allegations that the building materials were substandard, causing it to sink and tilt.

“Last week in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, a section of a nine-storey building under construction collapsed, killing one person and injuring several others. The Delta State government has since sealed the site and ordered an investigation into the incident.”

HEDA further urged CORBON to expedite actions and provide feedback on its petition.