Alarming Rise In Building Collapses: Nigeria Records 22 Incidents And 33 Deaths In Just 7 Months

Alarming Rise In Building Collapses: Nigeria Records 22 Incidents And 33 Deaths In Just 7 MonthsThe Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has reported a troubling surge in building collapses, with 22 incidents and 33 fatalities recorded from January to July 2024.

Key Points:

• High Incidence in Lagos: COREN President, Sadiq Abubakar, revealed that Lagos accounted for 27.27% of the collapses, followed by Abuja and Anambra at 18.18% each.
• Historical Data: Since 2012, over 91 buildings have collapsed in Lagos, resulting in more than 354 deaths. Abuja has seen about 30 collapses since 1993, leading to over 64 deaths and numerous injuries.
• Recent Incidents: Notable recent collapses include a building near DMGS Onitsha, Anambra State, on June 12, and the collapse of a school in Plateau on July 13, causing 22 student deaths and 134 injuries.
• Causes: Common causes of building collapses include aging structures, substandard materials, structural failures, illegal changes in building use, unauthorized floor additions, inadequate supervision, and corruption.
• State Response: State governments have established investigative panels, and COREN emphasizes the need for stakeholder collaboration to address the issue comprehensively.
• COREN’s Actions: The council has implemented measures such as training and licensing Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) inspectors and establishing a Task Force in various regions to tackle the problem.

What are your thoughts on the recent surge in building collapses in Nigeria? What measures do you think should be implemented to prevent such tragedies? Share your opinions in the comments below!