Abuja Building collapse:Building institute calls for professionalism

48 hours after a 3storey building collapsed and killed people in Abuja at the weekend after a torrential rain, the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for professionalism in the building industry, to curb cases of building collapse in Nigeria.

The NIOB President, Mr. Kenneth Nduka, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a four-storey building located at Jabi, Abuja, collapsed at about 1.30 pm on Friday, Aug. 17, killing one person and injuring six others.

Nduka, who was reacting to the incident, called for a drastic action by the government and stakeholders to stop compromises from unqualified builders and developers.

He said those involved in suspected professional lapses that led to Friday’s incident should be called to answer questions, and if found culpable, should be properly sanctioned.

“We need no more crocodile tears over incessant building collapses. Enough of the media razzmatazz and political speeches soon after the damage is done.

“The sour setting needs be responded to with the due action it merits.

“This may not be the time for political speeches since the evil factors, processes and procedures that excite building collapses are still lurking around with unfettered intimidation and impunity.

“What are we doing about them? We can’t be waiting idly for the next site to collapse so we can take pictures and express condolences again,’’ he said.

He urged all relevant professional bodies in the industry to demand for immediate reconciliation of all the urban and physical planning laws.

This, according to him, should be in responsive domestication of the National Building Code, which demands immediate enactment into law.

“The prevailing disregard for professionalism must stop. The prevailing compromise by professional and developers must stop.

“We all must stand up against the prevailing structured blight on professionals and professionalism. This avoidable but deliberate assault on our national resources must stop.

“Enough of the political talk, our people must be protected from avoidable careless death,’’ he said.

He, however, expressed sincere condolences to all those who have unfortunately been sent to their early graves due to the incident.