Building Collapse: Lagos Leads As Nigeria Records 22 Cases In Seven Months

The Council for The Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Wednesday, said from January to date, Nigeria has recorded a total of 22 cases of building collapse incidents.

During the time under review, Lagos recorded six collapses, Abuja, five; Anambra, four; Ekiti, two; while Taraba, Plateau, Kano, Ebonyi and Niger State recorded one incident of building collapse each.

THE WHISTLER recalls that last week only, a total of three incidents of building collapse were recorded in Plateau, Osun and Kubwa, Abuja with Plateau having the highest number of deaths.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the council’s President, Engr. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar described the incident as worrisome.

He said, “From January to 14th July 2024 alone, at least 22 cases of building collapse have been reported in Nigeria with Lagos accounting for 27.27 per cent, Abuja and Anambra 18.18 per cent each, Ekiti and Plateau 9.09 oer cent each, Kano, Taraba and Niger states accounting for 4.55 per cent
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“Records have shown that Lagos takes the lead in the incidences of building collapse, as a matter of fact, over 91 buildings have collapsed resulting in the death of over 354 persons in Lagos from 2012 to date.

“Similarly in Abuja, about 30 buildings have collapsed from 1993 till date resulting in the death of more than 64 persons and injury of many.

“The most recent occurrences of building collapse to DMGS Onitsha, Anambra State on 12th of June, 2024, a school of (Saint Academy) in Plateau State on Friday, 13th July, 2024 where it was reported that 22 students died and 134 injured as well as the building collapse in Kubwa, Abuja, on Saturday, 14th July, 2024 where five persons were rescued is worrisome and for a deep reflection and collaboration of all stakeholders in stemming the tide’’.

Abubakar cautioned against apportioning blame and called for the stakeholders’ engagement to tackle the menace.

He said, “This is not the time for apportioning blame or contest of superiority within the built environment but a time for all stakeholders to unite and proffer workable and lasting solutions, particularly in the prevention of building collapses.

“All professionals within the built environment have a role to play in this. In this regard, we have identified and COREN has taken some steps in monitoring and prevention of the building collapse.”