Coren Blames Building Collapses On Faulty Designs

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Works, Mr Ganiyu Solomon, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos and Commissioner for Physical Planning, Wasiu Anifowose at a briefing by Ambode on major issues on Lagos Government Policy on building in Lagos, recently.

The Council for the
Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has blamed building collapse on faulty designs, among other causes.
The Rivers State Coordinator of COREN, Mr Benedict Agbonko, stated this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Agbonko explained that before any building is to be put up, the developer begins with planning the design and approval.
He however observed that, most developers do not adhere to the building plan and design, saying that most of the time they are in a  hurry to finish the building to beat the stipulated time, adding especially of they borrowed funds to carry out the project.
According to him, “many developers, in order to meet up with borrowed funds tend to rush the building with out paying attention to the details of the design, the experience of the contractor they have engaged and the materials that were being used.”
He lamented, that, unfortunately there were laws governing buildings and property development, which he said were not being enforced.
Agbonko expressed the hope that government would live up to its responsibility and enforce available laws.
“Government should take responsibility of enforcing the law governing property development and put the breakage of law and order under control,” he said.
He used the opportunity to challenge members of COREN to gain mastery of design and innovative processes that would minimise negative impact on the environment, while calling for the review of the COREN law to give it autonomy from the ministry of works, “where we can deal decisively with any defaulters.”

Tonye Nria-Dappa