By Maduka Nweke
Following the recent collapse of a two-storey building in Ajah, Nigerians across various sectors are calling out the government for its failure to address the growing menace of building collapses, questioning the adequacy of safety regulations and enforcement measures in the construction industry.
The Chairman, Cement Dealers Association (CDA), Ajah branch, Mr. Akintunde Olaitan, has decried the government’s inability to prevent the recurring tragedies of building collapses, calling it a clear sign of negligence.
He emphasised that if construction projects adhered strictly to the prescribed engineering standards and proper material formulations, such disasters would be entirely avoidable.
“Most contractors today cut corners to make gains, thereby denying the building the required quantity of materials needed to make it strong. A situation where the engineer recommended 12 bags of cement and the developer decides to use eight bags; the expectation is that the building will not stand.
“Government should do more supervision than waiting until the disaster happens, then the blame game will start. Although nobody wants to tell the remote cause of the collapse, I know it must be due to poor materials in use. If there was enough supervision on projects above one floor, these incessant building collapses will stop. But government agents will be interested in looking for what enters their pockets at the expense of public outcry. This system will have to stop for us to progress,” he said.
Another building materials dealer, Mr. Chukwudi Okafor, noted that there has never been government action in the direction of stopping building collapses. Government is interested in demolishing houses after such construction has reached its pinnacle. “I think they take delight in seeing people cry because their buildings are demolished. It is a bad system and it has seen no way to remedy it,” he regretted.
Two days ago, two persons were confirmed dead and five injured after a two-storey building collapsed in Lagos. The incident occurred last night at Mega Mall Estate, Mobile Road in Inikpa Villa, Ikota, Ajah, reports The Nation.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), a distress call was received that the building, which was under construction, caved in. NEMA’s Lagos Office Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the immediate cause of the collapse was still unknown. He said the deceased were an adult and a teenager, adding that rescue operations were still ongoing at the site.
Farinloye said the rescued individuals, all men, sustained serious injuries and have been moved to the hospital. “Information indicates that more people are likely trapped in the rubble. Search and rescue operation is ongoing. Investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of collapse,” said Farinloye.