SON demands stronger regulations to prevent building collapse

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to prevent building collapses in Nigeria.

The Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, noted that this approach aimed to address recurring incidents and ensure the safety and integrity of structures nationwide.

According to a statement by SON, Okeke highlighted that adherence to specifications and codes of practice is crucial for restoring public trust in Nigeria’s building industry.

He expressed worry over the frequent building collapses across the country and the resulting loss of lives and property.

He explained that SON’s investigations pinpoint poor structural designs, quackery, unprofessionalism, and insufficient soil testing as key factors in frequent building collapse.

According to Okeke, other issues include substandard construction practices, unauthorised projects, improper demolition, lack of maintenance, negligence, inferior materials (like steel reinforcement bars), and inadequate drainage.

The SON DG also highlighted that since 2004, SON had established 168 standards and codes of practice to guide contractors in the construction industry.

He outlined those standards as Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 117: 2004 Specification for Steel Bars for the Reinforcement of Concrete, Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 499:2004. Standard for Iron and Steel, Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 588: 2007 Testing Hardened Concrete Part 1: Method for Determination of the Compressive Strength of Concrete Cores,

Others include Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 585: 2007 Standard for Concrete Admixtures—Part 1—Specification for Accelerating Admixtures, Retarding Admixtures and Water Reducing Admixtures, Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 156:1982 Standard Method for Testing Fresh Concrete; and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) ISO 41001:2020 Facility Management System Standard, among others.

Okeke stated that the organisation used its regulatory powers under the SON Act to monitor locally manufactured products through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme and ensure imported goods met standards before shipment through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme.

He further mentioned that SON had launched the Product Authentication Mark, allowing consumers to confirm a product’s authenticity before buying.

“The Standards Organisation of Nigeria created a special intervention task force to standardise steel reinforcement bars, which included engaging stakeholders and enforcing standards nationwide. As a result, violators were sanctioned under the SON Act No. 14 of 2015,” he stated.

Okeke also emphasised that the organisation would sustain collaboration with key regulators, like the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, the Ministry of Works, and other development agencies at all levels.

https://punchng.com/son-demands-stronger-regulations-to-prevent-building-collapse/