Standard Organization of Nigeria (son) is ready to work with producers of building materials, professionals, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders in the housing sector to address the recurring incidence of building collapse in the country.
Director-General, son, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, which was represented by an official of the Organization, Mr Adeoye Onipede, at an event in Lagos, said the joint efforts of all relevant stakeholders are required to counter the threat. He also said there is a need for a massive education and enlightenment campaigns about the dangers of building collapse and the need to adhere strictly to good ethical and professional practices.
"It is a well known fact that the strength of reinforced concrete depends on the proportion of sand, stone, cement and iron rod in it. Here, the professional bodies also have critical roles to play. The standards organization of Nigeria will continue to work with experts and stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of standardization are updated and provide a structurally safe environment to all Nigerians, "he said.
The son boss said his organization has stepped up enforcement actions, noting that most of its State offices are equipped with mobile block testing machines to guarantee the quality of sancrete blocks across the country. "Modern pieces of equipment are installed in our laboratories as effective and efficient testing facilities," he said.
Odumodu said standardisation and quality assurance play a very important role in the setting up of a permanent building that will not collapse. According to him, building collapse usually occur due to factors or a combination of factors, including the use of low quality building materials; employment of incompetent contractors; non-enforcement of existing legislation; bad work ethic of Nigerians; and the lack of adequate enforcement of relevant regulations by regional planning authorities.
Others are cost-saving tactic by building owners; unethical practices perpetuated by the professionals involved in the construction process; and poor control at the stage of construction.
He said the alarming rate of the collapse of the building in recent times in different parts of the country is worrisome for the general public as well as the professionals in the building and construction industry-Government, and particularly a burden on son for checks and balances.
"Over the years, has set the pace to son through standardisation to facilitate industrial development by focusing on improving the quality of the product and promoting the enforcement of the rules of the quality and greater competitiveness against imports on the domestic market. SON is willing to keep this fight with the support of all professionals and other government agencies that have worked with us to the objective is achieved. This, of course, include the fight against substandard construction materials, "he said.
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