NIA Seeks Lagos Govt’s Action After Building Collapse
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) is calling on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take decisive actions to ensure compliance with structural regulations, following a series of fatal building collapses in the state. The NIA’s plea comes in the wake of repeated structural failures and a rising death toll, prompting concerns about the safety of buildings in Lagos.
Expressing regret over the tragic incidents, the NIA emphasized the need for Governor Sanwo-Olu to expedite the enforcement of building regulations in collaboration with industry professionals. The NIA’s National President, Mobolaji Adeniyi, issued a statement in Ado Ekiti, underscoring the urgency of the situation after a building collapse in Ebute Metta on December 22, 2023, claimed innocent lives. Adeniyi passionately called for immediate measures to enhance safety in Lagos, warning that such incidents are tarnishing Nigeria’s image nationally and globally.
In an effort to mitigate risks, Adeniyi proposed that only registered architects certified by ARCON and qualified professionals should handle high-rise buildings. He suggested embedding professionally registered architects in the State and Local Government Planning and Development Control offices to oversee projects from design to compliance stages, reducing the risk of building collapses.
Offering condolences to the victims’ families and the Lagos State Government, Adeniyi stressed the need for comprehensive safety measures. She stated, “This incident, echoing a recurrent pattern in Lagos, underscores the critical necessity for robust strategies to safeguard buildings within the state. We have had enough, and we must all coalesce actions and expertise to halt such occurrences.” The NIA’s appeal reflects growing concerns about the state of infrastructure and the potential for tragedy, urging swift and effective measures to prevent further loss of life.
