There is Urgent Need to Holistically Address the Menace of Building

Collapses in Nigeria, ESV Arungwa argues

 In this opinion article, ESV Obinna Arungwa, a practicing estate surveyor and valuer. Argued from a professional point of view on the need for all stakeholders in the built environment to come together, and address the issue of incessant building collapses in Nigeria. To this talented professional, the regular occurrences of building collapses a disturbing trend that has resulted in the loss of lives and property, and raising alarms among professionals and stakeholders within the built environment.

ESV Obinna Arungwa, ANIVS, who is a distinguished member of the prestigious Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), and a current board member of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), emphasized the critical need for all stakeholders to actively engage in curbing and preventing the rise in building collapse incidents.

One primary concern is regulatory compliance, particularly with regard to adhering to established Nigerian building codes. Unfortunately, unqualified individuals have infiltrated the construction industry, motivated solely by profit without regard for the master plan, environmental considerations, or long-term infrastructure sustainability cum professionalism. The distortion of water channels, often caused by such practices, increases flood risk and jeopardizes structural stability, further contributing to the risk of collapse especially in cities that are prone to floods.

To address the rising and worrisome trend of building collapses, and mitigate these risks, the pre-design, design, construction, and post-design phases of any building project must be strictly adhered to, and overseen by qualified professionals. Compromising supervision at any stage can lead to disastrous consequences, endangering both lives and property.

One of the ways to addressing this challenge is the securing of proper building approvals from the relevant government agencies before construction begins is of utmost important. Engaging professionals from the outset ensures adherence to regulatory standards and helps identify potential risks and address them immediately. During construction, professionals play a pivotal role in upholding these standards and identifying substandard materials. Also, the building public otherwise known as clients from both the private and public sectors should never compromise on material quality and quantity as a way of cutting corners, as this can severely impact the structural integrity of a building.

Additionally, the rising demand for housing, particularly in urban centers, has led to an increase in unauthorized building conversions by unqualified individuals seeking to maximize profits. Often, such conversions occur without the property owner’s consent, undermining the building’s foundation and structural integrity. Any alteration to a building’s original design without regard for its load-bearing capacity is a potential recipe for collapse.

For quality control, all regulatory bodies in the built environment must ensure that all locally produced and imported building materials meet the required standards. The prevalence of substandard materials in the market has exacerbated the problem, making it more challenging to maintain building integrity.

In conclusion, property owners are strongly encouraged to engage the services of Chartered Estate Surveyors and Valuers for effective property management. These professionals bring a wealth of expertise in managing property usage in line with its structural capacity. They can determine when routine, preventive, corrective, or emergency maintenance is necessary. A building that complies with all regulatory codes, with professional inputs at every stage, is far more likely to stand the test of time.

To conclude, periodic integrity tests are recommended by professionals, and this is essential for the building to remain relevant, inhabitable, retain its market value and be a source of wealth creation and not death traps.
ESV Obinna Arungwa, sent in this piece from Abuja, Nige