CORBON Offers Solutions To Incessant Building Collapse 

The Council Of Registered Builders Of Nigeria (CORBON), has called for the prosecution of all those found culpable in the multiple building collapse across the country recently.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, CORBON chairman, Bidr. Samson Opaluwah said over a dozen houses have collapsed in the past six months and there is the need for action in order to stop future occurrences.

According to him, ” Over a dozen incidents have been reported in the first half of the year – with three occurring in the past week alone. The reported collapses include: One-Storey building in Osogbo, Osun State (July 14, 2024); Two-Storey Residential apartment, Kubwa, Abuja (July 13, 2024); Saints Academy School building, Busa Buji, Jos, Plateau State (July 12, 2024); Unity House Building, Garki, Abuja (July 1, 2024); Three-Storey Building at Plot 32, Udensi Housing Estate, Abakaliki.

“Ebonyi State (June 18, 2024); Five-Storey Dennis Memorial Grammar School building in Onitsha, Anambra State (June 12, 2024); and Three-Storey Building collapse, Obingwa, Ukwa West, Abia State (June 8, 2024).”

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He further stated that this is why CORBON is calling “for immediate action and the enforcement of past recommendations on building-collapses to ensure the safety of Nigerians, and diligent prosecution of people who have been found culpable by various investigative bodies to serve as deterrent fo potential offenders and maintain the integrity of our built environment. ”

On the causes of the collapse building, the CORBON chairman said: “Council has researched, studied numerous reports and reviewed available records of cases of building collapse across the country from 1970 to date. Our findings indicate that a major cause of building collapse is traceable to the non-observance or at best weak enforcement of standards for planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings. This has encouraged quackery among .active participants in the building construction process and the proliferation of sub-standard building materials in the sector.

“This cause manifests in diverse forms such as: Poor Construction Methodology; Use of unqualified and unlicensed personnel; Non-adherence to Builders quality management standards & specifications; Non-compliance to Builders Health & Safety Standards on building sites; Lack of knowledge and experience in building technology; Faulty design or design errors; Use of poor/ substandard building materials; Disregard for use of Builders production management tools and standards;

“Others are disregard for approved design documents – drawings and specifications (Architectural, Structural, Services, Etc);

Engagement of contractors lacking in technical capacity, competence and experience; Poor project monitoring and control by regulatory and planning authorities; Disobedience to directives of regulatory authorities on planning and construction; and Impunity by developers.”