…Enforce Stringent Penalties – Ex-COREN Boss
To avert building collapse and stem the activities of quacks in the built profession, Fellows of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) have called on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, make approval for building plans mandatory.
The professionals said rampant cases of building collapse, propelled by shoddy activities of quacks, is causing deaths, loss of property and jeopardising strides of professionals.
The Engineers converged on Makurdi on the occasion of the ordinary general meeting to proffer ways and mitigate the collapse of buildings in the country.
Presentation a paper on the topic “collapse of buildings: a comprehensive survey of causes and effects,” Engr. Dr. Peter Damkor, a fellow of the NSE stated that cases of collapsed buildings have caused retrogression to economic activities which, must be quickly checkmated.
According to Damkor, apart from inability of government to set adequate penalties, there are other causes of building collapse which, he said, included quackery, professional negligence, use of inferior construction materials, pack of regular maintenance, extreme weather conditions and earthquakes.
To avert the challenges, Damkor posited that all civil engineers must refrain from sealing and signing structural working drawings for building projects in which they do not participate in the design but get involved due to perks.
The retired Director of Engineering opined that minister of housing and urban development, as well as Nigeria building research institute should be empowered to prosecute offenders.
A former Registrar of COREN, a fellow of the NSE, Engr. Felix Atume said issue of collapse buildings must be addressed urgently if the country is to earn respect in the comity of nations.
“This then requires Government must enforce the relevant laws to ensure that anybody who does not follow the laid down procedure in procuring a building is severely sanctioned in line with the existing laws of the land. This includes all stakeholders-government employees, the professionals, the contractor and the client or owner of the building.
“Governments at all levels must make adequate provisions for the monitoring of development in towns and cities. In other words, the Town Planning Authorities must be empowered to monitor constructions regularly to check abuse.
“Professional Bodies must ensure that their members found wanting are disciplined and their licenses to practice are withdrawn. The general public must understand that it is penny wise and pound foolish to involve non- professionals in the procurement of buildings,” Atume stated
