Architects Urges Sanwo-Olu To Be Decisive In Tackling Building Collapse
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has urged Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwolu to take a decisive approach in tackling building collapse in the state.
The NIA national president, Arc Mobolaji Adeniyi gave the charge in a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, December 26, following the tragic building collapse in Ebute Metta on December 22, 2023, leading to the deaths of innocent souls.
Adeniyi, who lamented the recurrent building collapse and the resultant death tolls, said it was imperative for Sanwolu to fast-track enforcement of regulations in partnership with professionals to avert turning Lagos state into an epicentre of unwarranted carnage.
She, therefore called for immediate measures to bring safety to Lagos residents, adding that the incessant cases of building collapse is gradually constituting a national and global embarrassment to Nigeria.
The NIA national president advocated that only registered Architects certified by the ARCON and relevant qualified professionals should be saddled with the responsibility of handling high-rise structured to reduce cases of building collapse risks.
Adeniyi extends his condolences to the victims’ families and the Lagos State Government, harping on the urgent need for comprehensive mitigating and safety measures.
According to her “This incident, echoing a recurrent pattern in Lagos, underscore the critical necessity for robust strategy to safeguard buildings within the state. We have had enough and we must all coalesce actions and expertise to halt such occurrence”.
Adeniyi stated that the institute has dispatched the Lagos Chapter Chairman, Arc. David Majekodunmi, FNIA, to conduct a swift on-site assessment and provide a detailed report on the frightening and depressing incident.
The NIA national boss, expressed the readiness of NIA to collaborate with the Lagos State Government, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), and other relevant agencies to investigate the root causes of some of these harrowing incidents and develop effective preventive solutions.
Adeniyi emphasized that the NIA’s charge to the government was deemed expedient because part of the collective responsibilities of architects is ensuring best building practices, structural integrity and environmental safety.
“NIA’s proactive stance was aimed at instigating enduring changes in building safety practices, not only in Lagos but across the country. As professionals, we can’t fold our arms and allow the situation to degenerate before our intervention.
“We believe all Nigerians must be safe wherever they live. We are battling economic, political and other social problems, and building collapse shouldn’t be made to assume a calamity of national dimension. The time to tame it is now”, Adeniyi said.
