Matthew Denis, Abuja
The President of Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, Engr. Peter Osarodion Igbinijesu has disclosed that out of the 25 building collapses in Nigeria this year, none of them was handled by structural engineers.
He made the disclosure during his opening speech at the 2022 Conference and 35th Annual General Meeting of the institution held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Engr. Igbinijesu said, “As Structural Engineers, we are proud with confidence that all the failures and collapses of buildings recorded this year alone (not less than 25) none of firms handled by our members were involved.
The President reiterated that the abuse of buildings by quackery is responsible for the infrastructural failures and collapses of buildings we’re experiencing today.
He argued, “the loss of lives and properties, though regrettably, will continue unless we take necessary measures to stem the tide.
” In this regard, we as an institution commend Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for approving to become law in this country, the “Regulation of the practice of Structural Engineering in Nigeria” being proactive, we have commenced the necessary consultations and implementation Strategies, awaiting the official gazette of the new law.
” I want to appeal to colleagues in structural engineering and other professional colleagues in the built environment for effective collaboration in bringing about the desired sanity in the construction industry. Also the need for us to practice in our core area of specialty and competence.
According to him, the theme “The importance of an Infrastructural Design Policy for National Development” is appropriate and apt with the incidences of collapsed buildings and infrastructures failures becoming a weekly occurrence in the country.
The highlights of the event was the Conferment of Fellowship Awards to the President of COREN, Engr. Ali Rabiu and the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructures, Engr. (Mrs) Aramide Adeyoye .