The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors has stated that building collapse can result from several factors, including the design, the implementation, or even the professionals handling the project.
The National President of NIQS, Aminu Bashir, said this on Thursday in Lagos during the seminar and investiture of Ololade Sokoya as the ninth Chairperson of the Women’s Association of Quantity Surveyors in Nigeria.
He stressed that sometimes the design of the building might be perfect, but the professionals handling the project may decide to cut corners, which might lead to building collapse.
“The reality of the matter is that building collapse has multiple dimensions of responsibility. It could come from the aspect of the design or the implementation or even the professionals you are using on the project. Sometimes the design will be very good, but at the point of implementation, those responsible for construction will be cutting corners,” Bashir said.
According to him, for instance, if the design is not done by a professional engineer, it could trigger a building collapse.
The NIQS boss noted that some individuals commence construction without any proper design: “Bad advice can also cause it. So, the issue of building collapse cannot be pinned down to one particular problem.”
“It could happen from multiple sites. And sometimes it is even the failure of the people who are charged with regulation to go and observe before you sign off for the contractor to proceed from one stage to another,” he added.
He stressed again that a collective effort is required to address the problem of building collapse. “So all of us have to be committed to doing the right thing. Right from the point of design, point of implementation, point of procurement, and point of supervision.
If at any of these points something is missing, it will lead to a building collapse,” Bashir said.
Bashir noted that the group is making plans to engage with President Bola Tinubu, adding that the cost management aspect of the NIQS is in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Mr President will be the happiest of all, because there are so many beautiful infrastructure projects that the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to achieve, and that can best be done when you involve a professional cost-construction manager,” Bashir stated.
