The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, directed its Committees on Works, Environment, Housing, and Safety Standards to investigate the frequent incidents of building collapse in Nigeria.
The resolution was a sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Need to Investigate the Menace of Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria,’ sponsored by the member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Aderemi Oseni.
During Wednesday’s plenary, the House noted that the government’s primary responsibility is to protect citizens’ lives and property, adding that the recurring building collapse cases in major Nigerian cities have become a significant concern.
Oseni recalled that on July 12, 2024, 154 people were trapped under debris in Saint Academy’s two-storey building in the Busa Buji community, Jos, Plateau State, with 22 reported dead.
He quoted The PUNCH of July 15, 2024, as stating that 135 building collapse incidents occurred between 2022 and July 2024, thereby causing concern and highlighting the need for urgent action.
He added, “If nothing is done to urgently combat this emergency, more lives and property will be lost and destroyed, leading to a devastating impact on communities and the economy.
“The House is aware that the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria and other professional associations involved in building-related issues are tasked with enforcing regulations and controlling the engineering profession in order to prevent established industry best practices from being compromised.”
Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary session, mandated the Committee on Works to ascertain the causes of the incessant building collapses and proffer lasting solutions to curb the menace and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
