NIA seeks approval of national building code to end collapse

• Lagos Cautions Builders, Developers Against Breaching Regulations
Worried by the alarming rate of building collapse in Nigeria, the National Institute of Architect (NIA) said it has developed and submitted to the Federal Government, a national building code to end the ugly trend. 

President, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Arch. Sonny Echono, stated this in a chat with journalists in Makurdi at the end of the institute 60th yearly general meeting.
 
According to him, apart from building material deficit, poor use of materials, poor workmanship and poor supervision are the other main reasons for collapsed buildings in the country.

Echono explained that the issue of huge waste that goes into massive failure of buildings was part of the things discussed at the conference.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has read out riot act to builders and developers, to imbibe the culture of building according to laws, rules and regulations so as to forestall incessant building collapse in the state or face the full wrath of the law.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, gave out the warning yesterday at a public engagement and enlightenment programme organised by Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). Held at Igbosere, Lagos Island and themed: “Prevention Of Building Collapse: A Collective Responsibility,” Saalako said it is no longer going to be business as usual, as the state will go extra mile to ensure people build in conformity with the laws, regulations and codes governing the building control agency.

He implored royal fathers, professionals and community leaders to report illegal developments in their areas to district offices in council areas across the state.

The General Manager, LASBCA, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe, encouraged all the stakeholders to ensure that their clients obey the laws.Kosegbe stressed that the agency has been playing a pivotal role in building control in all its ramification towards the attainment of making Lagos a 21st century economy in line with T-H-E-M-E-S agenda of the state government, as it relates to the building industry.

She added that under the leadership of the commissioner, the agency has continued to come up with reforms and initiatives geared towards prevention of building collapse and reforming the built industry, to meet the global building practices, with the issuance of Green Check Sticker and Comprehensive log books, among others.