By Tony Ezike
The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) Anambra State Chapter has reiterated calls for the urgent implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Anambra State Panel on Building Collapse. This clarion call comes about a day after a three-story building collapsed along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka, Anambra State.
Even though there were no recorded losses of human life at the time of filing this report, an excavator deployed by the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) was sighted at the site on Thursday morning, with its operatives digging through the rubble for rescue purposes.
A statement credited to the MD/CEO of ACTDA, Chief Ossy Onuko, revealed the agency’s commitment to remaining at the site until they are convinced that no one remains trapped in the rubble.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the State Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Bldr. Nweke Kingsley, stated that a panel of inquiry was set up last year over similar cases, namely: DMGS building collapse and the Ochanja Market collapse in Onitsha, stressing the compelling need for the speedy implementation of the panel’s recommendations.
“The panel of inquiry has submitted its reports, findings, and recommendations, and we expect the state government to review them and produce a white paper as a working document to avert such unfortunate incidents in the future”‘ he stated.
“The implementation of these recommendations would have saved us from this embarrassing situation today because this is a total embarrassment, to a state with well trained service providers in the built environment.”
He further called for the implementation of the National Building Code, which ensures that only qualified professionals handle building projects. He pointed out that some states have embraced this idea, while Anambra is yet to do so.
“We have always emphasized the need for synergy among professionals at building sites. The monopoly of one profession in construction projects cannot work, and the government must enforce the building code while ensuring due diligence and compliance with laws guiding construction.”
Bldr. John Bosco Amamfa, who joined the inspection team as the Anambra State Chairman of Builders in Private Practice, noted that unless clients stop hiring unqualified personnel, incidents of building collapses will persist.
“We have only examined this collapse from the outside, but we have tested the concrete mixture and foundation, and we discovered substandard materials that cannot support the weight of a three-story building.”
“Though these are preliminary findings, one thing is clear: the contractor is not a professional and had no business handling a project of this magnitude. We are, however, determined to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the true cause of this unfortunate incident.”
John Bosco further advised clients to avoid cutting costs by hiring cheap labor, emphasizing the severe consequences of such decisions.
“When investors cut corners to save money, they end up losing much more. As you can see, the owner of this building has lost a significant investment and will have to spend even more on clearing the rubble and rebuilding from scratch”, Johnbosco remarked.
PHOTOS:
