The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Ogun State Chapter, has called for stronger collaboration among regulatory authorities, construction professionals, artisans, developers and property owners to improve building safety and prevent structural failures across the state.

The call was made at a joint Building Safety Awareness Programme organised in collaboration with the Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA) at Oronna Hall, Ilaro, under the theme, “Building Safe, Compliant and Quality Structures.”

The programme brought together building developers, artisans, built-environment professionals, property owners, community representatives and residents from Ilaro and the wider Yewa community to discuss compliance with building regulations and measures to prevent structural failures.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of BCPG, Ogun State Chapter, Adedayo Ogunsola, said preventing building collapse required sustained professional vigilance, effective regulatory oversight and cooperation among all stakeholders involved in construction.

He explained that the Guild comprised registered members from seven built-environment professional groups: town planners, land surveyors, architects, engineers, estate surveyors and valuers, quantity surveyors, and builders.

Their combined expertise, he said, enabled the organisation to monitor construction activities and promote compliance with established building standards.

Ogunsola said the Guild worked with OGBPMA officials to encourage developers to adhere to approved building plans, proper construction procedures and statutory requirements.

He stressed that the Guild’s monitoring activities were preventive and professionally guided, adding that its members sought to promote compliance without unnecessarily disrupting construction work.

According to him, early identification of unsafe practices, responsible workmanship, the engagement of qualified professionals and continuous monitoring throughout construction were essential to protecting lives and property.

He added that closer cooperation between the Guild and regulatory authorities would strengthen professional accountability and reduce practices that could compromise structural integrity.

The Coordinator of BCPG’s Yewa-Ilaro Cell, Dr Olubenga Shoyemi, an engineer, highlighted some of the cell’s activities, including providing free technical guidance to homeowners undertaking construction in the informal sector.

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Ogun State Chapter, Ayoade Sorunke, said the participation of members from the Abeokuta and Yewa-Ilaro cells demonstrated the Guild’s commitment to extending building safety advocacy and professional monitoring across the state.

The Registrar of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Adebayo Dauda, described collaboration among built-environment professionals as essential to achieving safer and better-quality buildings.

Similarly, the Treasurer of BCPG, Ogun State Chapter, Mrs Morenike Sonde, emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation in addressing construction safety challenges and promoting professional responsibility.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Abiola Ayodele, urged members of the public to engage qualified built-environment professionals and comply with applicable building regulations.

She warned that violations detected by the relevant authorities would attract appropriate sanctions.

The Acting General Manager of OGBPMA, Mrs Titilayo Oladogbon, outlined the Authority’s expectations for compliance and the procedures for ensuring that construction projects met prescribed standards.

She disclosed that the Ogun State Government had signed a memorandum of understanding with BCPG to support construction supervision across the state.

According to her, the arrangement would not impose additional costs on property owners beyond the required approval fees.

The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, who was represented by the Aguro of Ilaro and Secretary of the Olu-Ilaro-in-Council, Chief Ayo Dawotola, urged participants to take the building safety message to their respective associations and communities.

Participants were advised to use approved building plans, engage qualified professionals, obtain the necessary building approvals and secure the required stage certifications throughout construction.

They also called for reasonable statutory assessment fees and levies, arguing that excessive charges could discourage property owners from obtaining building approvals and complying with regulations.

The Carpenters Association raised concerns about the influx of substandard building materials into the market, particularly the difficulty of sourcing standard timber through open markets.

The association warned that the situation posed safety risks during construction and after buildings were completed, urging relevant authorities to intensify efforts to address the problem.