Non-Adherence To Building Codes, Cause Of Collapse-FCTA

By: Prudence Okonna

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has condemned the noncompliance with building codes by some developers in the Federal Capital Territory as the act remains the bane of building collapse.

The Administration frowns at series of building collapse recorded over the past twenty days in the nation’s capital, and declares that it is unacceptable.

Acting Director-General, Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Florence Wenegieme, stated this during a Press Conference, in her office at Asokoro District, Abuja, Wednesday.

Her words: “Non-adherence to building codes have been the major cause of the continuous building collapse.”

According to her, this was the observation during on the spot assessments carried out after the collapsed buildings recorded recently.

She explained that some of the factors identified as these violations include the non-use of professionals, non-use of building plans in the construction of buildings and use of substandard materials.

Wenegieme noted that fire outbreaks recorded recently also revealed that some FCT residents do not adhere to the fire codes for buildings.

“As FEMD monitors activities, it has been able to identify some of the causes of these disasters, but we will embark on sensitization which is one of the best approach to disaster risk reduction,” she added.

Wenegieme, therefore, called for improved muti-agency collaboration, review of existing building laws, the building regulatory agencies to step up quality assurance as well as the need for fire safety regulations.

She also called on developers to conduct integrity tests on buildings during renovations to ensure that the buildings conform with the requisite safety measure in place.