FAILURE AND COLLAPSE OF BUILDIGS IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

Abstract

The activities of unskilled craftsmen in the building industry have really smeared the image of the building profession in the recent past. The incessant cases of collapse of buildings in some parts of the country have resulted in the loss of lives, property and left many people injured. Quite a number of factors are responsible for collapse of high-rise, reinforced concrete buildings in Nigeria. Government, professional bodies and people are asking countless questions as to who should be responsible and how solutions could be proffered. This paper therefore, intends to highlight causes of collapse of high-rise buildings in Nigeria, the roles of professionals and other participants play in the industry in terms of the use of building materials, placement and curing of concrete, modification in the use of a building, collapse of building induced by fire and other causes. The paper concludes by suggesting possible measures to be taken by government and other regulatory bodies in the building industry to avert this.