Why Do Buildings Keep Collapsing in Nigeria“>Lagos, Nigeria?
Lagos, Nigeria has been plagued by building collapses for years. The most recent incident occurred on March 13th, 2019 when a three-story building housing a school collapsed killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more. This tragedy is just one of many that have occurred in the city over the past decade.
The reasons behind these collapses are numerous and complex. One major factor is poor construction practices. Many builders cut corners to save money, using substandard materials or ignoring safety regulations altogether. Corruption also plays a role as some officials turn a blind eye to these practices in exchange for bribes.
Another issue is overcrowding. Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa with an estimated population of over 21 million people. This rapid growth has led to an increase in demand for housing and commercial space which has resulted in buildings being constructed without proper planning or consideration for safety.
Additionally, natural disasters such as flooding can weaken structures causing them to collapse during subsequent storms or earthquakes.
To combat this problem, the Nigerian government has implemented stricter building codes and increased enforcement efforts but progress has been slow due to corruption and lack of resources.
It’s important that both builders and government officials take responsibility for ensuring that buildings are constructed safely and up to code standards. The lives of citizens depend on it.
while there are many factors contributing to building collapses in Lagos, Nigeria including poor construction practices, corruption, overcrowding and natural disasters; it’s crucial that all stakeholders work together towards finding solutions that prioritize safety above all else.
What is the government doing to prevent building collapses in Lagos, Nigeria?
Uncovering the Truth Behind Nigeria’s Building Collapses: The Shocking Reasons Why Lagos Constructions Keep Crashing Down
Over the years, building collapses in Lagos, Nigeria have become an all-too-familiar occurrence. From residential buildings to commercial spaces, it seems that no structure is safe in Africa’s most populous city. These collapses often result in numerous deaths and hefty financial losses. The situation has become so dire that it prompted the Nigerian government to set up a committee to investigate the causes, with a focus on Lagos.
In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why construction projects keep crashing down in Lagos and what can be done to prevent these tragic incidents.
Poor Structural Design and Construction
One of the most common reasons why buildings in Lagos come crashing down is poor structural design and construction. In a bid to cut corners and save costs, builders and contractors often overlook the need for skilled architects or engineers and opt for unqualified individuals. This often leads to improper calculations, substandard materials, and shoddy workmanship.
Poor structural design can also result from a lack of planning and consideration for the environment in which the building is constructed. For instance, buildings that are erected on waterlogged soils with a high water table such as Lagos Island are vulnerable to failure. The foundation cannot support the weight of the structure, and this often leads to sliding, settling, and eventually collapse.
Weak Enforcement of Building Codes
Enforcement of building codes in Lagos is lax, and this is another factor contributing to building collapses. Builders and contractors are hardly held accountable for failing to adhere to standards, and they rarely face any consequences for substandard work. Also, the government does not impose stiffer penalties on defaulters, such as revoking their license, or imprisonment. This lack of oversight often gives them the freedom to cut corners and use substandard materials.
Building codes and regulations exist to ensure the safety of the public, such as the Nigerian National Building Code, and all states in the country are expected to domesticate these codes. The Lagos Building Control Agency (LABCA) is the regulatory body in the state mandated to ensure that all buildings in the city meet the designated standards. However, the agency often lacks adequate personnel, equipment, funding, and backups from the Government.
Overcrowding in Buildings
Overcrowding is another factor that contributes to building collapses in Lagos. The city is densely populated, and there is a constant demand for housing and commercial space. Many buildings are built without proper planning or approval and are meant to accommodate more people than they are intended for. These structures are often prone to collapse due to excessive weight and strain on the structure.
In other instances, landlords develop their properties without regard for set back rules, leaving no space at the front or back for light, air and open spaces. LABCA, which is saddled with the responsibility of enforcing building codes and regulations, hardly monitor these rules because of inadequate tokens to embark on the inspection. This failure has encouraged developers to build without considering these rules, thereby endangering the populace.
Materials Used in building
In Lagos, builders are faced with several challenges when it comes to the acquisition of quality construction materials. They often resort to using substandard and inferior materials like sand and gravel, which can cause severe damage to structures. Due to a lack of monitoring, building materials often find their way into the market that do not meet acceptable standards.
Additionally, the procurement process for construction materials in Nigeria isn‘t transparent, which makes it easy for unscrupulous traders and middle-men to make a killing by selling subpar materials to builders.
Possible Solutions to the Problem
The situation in Lagos appears dire, but there are viable solutions that can help prevent building collapses.
Firstly, there needs to be increased government oversight and accountability. Government workers should be trained adequately, undergoing skills upgrade from time to time; so as to maintain ethics and integrity with thorough conformance to their responsibilities. Also, the government should enforce building codes rigidly, and impose stiff penalties for infringements.
Secondly, there should be regular building inspections to check for non-conformance, building standards, and approve set back submission. The same inspectors will bar erected structure after discovering any deviation from the building plans.
Thirdly, there should be a regulation and standardization of suppliers of construction materials. This will ensure the availability of quality materials available in the market for builders to use.
Fourthly, there should be proper sensitization and advocacy to builders and property developers in Lagos through seminars and workshops on the need to adhere to set building codes and standards.
In conclusion
Poor construction quality, weak regulation and enforcement of building codes, overcrowding, and substandard materials are the main reasons why buildings in Lagos come crashing down. With proper enforcement of building codes, regular inspections, standardization of construction materials suppliers, and increased awareness amongst builders, it is possible to mitigate this problem in the future. The Nigerian Government has a significant role to play in ensuring that these measures are put in place to safeguard citizens’ lives and avoid property damage and loss.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from MONTAGE AFRICA.
Contact: editor@montageafrica.com
