INCREASING SPATE OF BUILDING COLLAPSE: AN S.C.S.P APPRAISAL
Building collapse is now a serious concern to any sane clime especially in modern times. Sadly, this anomaly has hitherto constituted a colossal harm to the nation at large. In some quarters many people now choose to keep their eyes widely open while they sleep in the wake of any mishap. Recently, the increasing spate of building collapse is alarming owing to the acts of negligence and outright violation to safety laws. Virtually all the buildings that collapsed in recent times have been attributed to human errors. Regrettably, these disasters have not elicited the right response to halt the trend. Nigeria is gradually stigmatised and badly labeled with the weight and frequency of building collapse and if we are to be truthful, it is not a good way to be known.
Unarguably, the increasing rate of building collapse in the country despite advancement in technology, involvement of professionals and the periodic review of building codes is worrisome. It is instructive to point out that building collapse in Nigeria has a long unenviable history of a sustained culture of negligence and impunity. More distressing is the aberrant impunity that is glaringly at play in recent times. It is clear that the reoccurring building collapse attest agonisingly to the escalating decline in safety measures that is prevalent in the construction sector.
No wonder it has now become a repetitive scenario of building collapse in Nigeria; from “public outcry” to “homilies and ponds”, then to “little or no evidence of lessons learnt, then comes “few prosecution” that is done is pretence to drowse any impending uproar, which finally in most cases avail offenders to “go scot free” with very few cases followed up through conclusively. It is pathetic to say that the government appears helpless as developers routinely break. It is no secret that most developers and contractors are shielded and protected from facing the havoc they have wrecked on people.
It is against this backdrop that Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider (SCSP) is calling for a genuine total overhaul of the construction industry. We believe the solution must be a holistic multi – disciplinary approach. As we reiterate our stand on safety and our commitment to safety advocacy, we charge collaborative agencies (construction, safety, standard, protection, environmental and many others) to be sincere and diligent in enforcing building codes and standards. Simply put, no corners must be cut. We equally employ standard regulatory bodies to ensure top quality materials and equipment’s are used sold to the bodies. In that vein, w advocate for appropriate sanctions and disciplinary measures to be severely executed on those found guilty of criminal negligence that leads to any fatal collapse. If we roll out one or two serious sanctions against defaulters, it will sound a warning bell to intending and perpetual defaulters. This is one way to abate what has now become a serial disaster with attendant avoidable loss of innocent lives. Planning and development agencies must rigorously embark on building check to mark and demolish all distressed buildings. We equally implore the various task-force to sustain their work in pulling down all sinking distressed structures before the cave in and swallow up innocent lives. There should also be constant and frequent check of buildings to maintain and ascertain its condition. The truth is even the best constructed buildings need constant attention as failure to do so can turn out to be a costly man- made disaster. Government as all levels should intensify public awareness on how building disasters can be prevented rather than managing it. Together, we must frown and take building collapse more seriously than what we are doing.
At Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider (SCSP) our commitment to safety compliance is intentional and utmost in providing a safe haven for people to dwell. We are on course to ensure that young and innocent lives are not wasted due to negligence, incompetence or greed. Safety is our watch word as we seek to promote safety across the shores of Nigeria and beyond.
