As part of measures to solve the dilemma of building collapse in Anambra, the State Physical Planning Board at the instance of its Executive Chairman, Barrister Chike Maduekwe convened a meeting of stakeholders and professionals in the the building Industry in the State.
To mitigate the menace, the experts are asking State government to implement the Government White paper report of the Panel of Inquiry it set up to investigate eleven collapsed buildings in the State in 2014.
The meeting was held at the State Physical Planning Board office in Awka
The Experts include Nigeria Institute of Architects, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Nigeria Institute of builders, among others.
The 2014 investigative Panel was headed by Architect Peter Okpala and eight other seasoned building professionals.
According to them, everything that will help government curb or reduce cases of building collapse in the State are contained in the 2014 report, adding that a government white paper has even been produced but is yet to be implemented.
The Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Anambra State Chapter, Mr Paul Okafor stressed that most approvals lack professional touch, which explains the reason for cases b of building collapse.
For the Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers, Awka Branch who is also the Chief Fire Officer in the State, Engineer Martin Agbili, over the years, the issue of what he described as internal quackery has been there, added that their Organization have been trying it’s best to check the malady, urging people to stop patronizing quacks in the name of saving costing, adding that it has the portential of a detrimental outcome.
The President, Nigeria Institute of Building, Mr. Okafor said that building project delivery is team work, ranging from the roles of the town planner, quantity surveyor, land surveyor, to the role of engineers, stressing that they have undergone trainings to deliver on the expectations of the society and to indemnify the public from all forms of dimensions of safety hazards, adding that building collapses usually occur because the roles of professionals are usually neglected, just as the former Chairman of Nigeria Society of Engineers, C.Y Anaeto said that he was a member of the said investigative panel which helped reduce incidents of building collapse, and called on government to as a matter of urgency, enforce the content of the white paper.
While saying that the Governor is upset about the ugly trend and instucted that they take neccessary actions, the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, emphasized that the board has a clear cut role of land use and making sure that developments are placed at the right locations.
He however stressed that all the experience required by the State to eliminate building collapse are at their disposal, saying that the meeting is pursuant to their earlier meeting where they set up a panel to ensure that all approvals, supervision and post approvals are done by competent professionals, to provide safe building environment for ndi Anambra.
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