Business
Housing: Experts Want Emergency Escape Windows
Some real estate experts have canvassed the need for the
provision of effective emergency escape windows in buildings and structural
planning nationwide.
They told our correspondent in Lagos that the recorded
casualty in building collapse and flooding was due to the absence of escape
windows and poor structural planning in the country.
Mr Afolabi Solesi, the Chairman, Nigerian Institution of
Surveyors (NIS), said that poor drainage and incessant flooding could be
addressed with organised planning.
He said that good land survey would showcase the status of
every land and building in the country.
Solesi said that mapping would help to direct the government
and individuals to suitable sites for construction, adding that survey remains
the bed rock of development
He bemoaned the delay in passing the national mapping bill
presented to the National Assembly by professionals in the building and
construction industry.
“We hope that the bill would soon be signed into law to
strengthen the construction operations of the building industry.”
Mr Akomolafe Ademola, the Executive Secretary, NIS, urged
various professionals in the industry to collaborate and provide solution to
the nation’s structural defects.
He said that speedy harmonisation of the professionals would
help in addressing the issue of poor structures in the country.
Ademola said that preference of quacks by individuals and
corporate organisations because of cost remained a contributory factor to the
large number of poor structures across the country.
Mr Chucks Omeife, the National president, Nigerian Institute
of Building (NIOB), said the high rate of quackery in the industry had impacted
the industry negatively.
He urged the government to enact a law that would allow only
qualified professionals to engage in building and construction.
“It is amazing how an artisan would follow you to a site
today and claim to be a professional tomorrow.”
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.