The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) has restated the need for all professional bodies in the nation’s built environment to rise up with a view to curbing the incidents of building collapse in the country.

NBRRI, in a communiqué entitled: “Curbing the incidences of building collapse in Nigeria”, restated the concern of both the government and private individuals on the alarming rate of building collapse in Nigeria.

According to the communique, there was a dearth of qualified indigenous artisans and craftsmen in the nation’s construction industry, while also decrying lack of adequate materials, testing laboratories, equipment and power for the construction industry.

When further giving an insight into the state of things in the nation’s construction industry, NIBRRI, in the communiqué duly signed by its Director-General/ CEO,  Professor Danladi Slim Matawal, declared that use of poor construction materials and lack of consultation of appropriate professionals were  major factors responsible for building collapse. it also fingered non-compliance with building rules and regulations, design flaws, ageing buildings, material fatigue, extreme operational and environmental conditions, accidents, and the ‘Nigerian factor,’ among other issues as other possible causes of building collapse in the country.

 In proffering the way forward, NBRRI, revealed that there should be a continuous training of artisans, craftsmen and workmen in the construction sector,  while also advocated continuous professional training for other construction industry professionals.

Adequate funding of the NBRRI has also been identified as one of the major step to fighting building collapse, as this will help promote the fabrication of laboratory and research equipment in line with its mandate for the construction industry.

“The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should be regularly engaged in the quality monitoring of the various construction materials in the industry in collaboration with cognate professional regulatory bodies, the academia as well as relevant research institutes such as NBRRI, RMRDC, among others,” the report stated.

The National Assembly was also called upon in the communiqué  to accelerate the process to enact into law the existing National Building Code Enforcement Bill that would prescribe punishment for unacceptable practices leading to failure of buildings and structures, while it was also revealed that, “Municipal planning and development control authorities should be strengthened in every state  and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the conduct of development approvals and monitoring,” the statement further revealed.