REDAN raises concerns over incessant building collapse

The Real Estate Developers Association (REDAN) has said that issue of building collapse in the country is becoming worrisome, all hands must be on deck to address the menace.

The Chairperson of REDAN, FCT Chapter, Okoruwa Ehikioya, stated this in Abuja during a news conference to announce the association’s International Real Estate Conference and Exhibition (IRECE).

“Few days back, there was a building collapse in Ibadan, about 27 people died, over 30 people were injured, while many are still missing.

“It has become a very serious concern for us in the real estate sector.

“Building collapse can be as a result of so many factors: It can be as a result of management of materials that are used in developing the estate or as a result of poor supervision.

“It can also be as a result of bad or inferior materials,” he said.

Ehikioya said the upcoming conference would bring together stakeholders in the built sector to analyse the situation and chart the way forward.

He added that the conference would also look at the roles of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Development Control in respect to buildings standards and addressing the menace

The REDAN official also said that the conference would ensure that all stakeholders involved in the building sector are present and state their stake in addressing building collapse in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Convener, Ajayi Frankline, said it is high time estate developers came together to stem the tide of building collapse nationwide.

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“If a surgeon in the theatre attending to a patient makes a mistake, that patient can die, likewise a builder or any player in the built industry, if there is a mistake, lots of lives could be lost.

“That is why this conference and the theme is very important,’ he said.

The REDAN Vice President, North Central, Osilama E. Osilama, said IRECE is a premier annual event dedicated to tackling critical issues in Nigeria’s real estate structure.

“This year’s theme, “Arresting Building Collapse”, highlights the pressing need for improved safety standards in building projects across the country.

“The conference being organised by Sim and Lloyd will take place from Nov.12 to Nov.14 and features some governors, minister and heads of departments, as special guests, ”he said.