By Peter Bakare
President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Victor Adekunle Alonge, has called on the government to prioritise enforcement of existing building regulations to curb the growing menace of building collapses in Nigeria.
Speaking during a brief chat with Daily Sun after the 92nd birthday thanksgiving service of Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, Spiritual Father and Chairman of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide Àyò Ni O, Alonge emphasised that the country already had robust building laws in place.
Alonge, who recently received an Outstanding Humanitarian Award from the United Nations, noted that the frequent incidents of structural failure were less about inadequate laws and more about the lack of proper compliance and enforcement. According to him, building construction is guided by three pillars, the building codes (laws), compliance by developers and contractors and enforcement by government agencies. He stressed that while compliance is essential, enforcement is the most critical element, as it holds all parties accountable and ensures safety standards are upheld.
He explained that many developers tend to cut corners, often using substandard materials in a bid to maximise profit. Without strict oversight and punitive consequences, such practices go unchecked.
Alonge argued that enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened and erring officers within regulatory agencies must face disciplinary action to deter future violations.
He concluded that recurring building collapses were largely due to the government’s failure in enforcement rather than a lack of legal provisions.
“If you look at most investigative reports on collapsed buildings, the fault usually lies with the enforcement lapses. It’s not about creating more laws, it’s about enforcing the ones we already have,” he stated.