BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA

I saw a video of a building collapsing somewhere in Lagos some time ago. Right at the top of the building were artisans working. My heart went out to them. Only God knows if and how many of them can survive.

The question is, why do buildings keep collapsing in Nigeria?

The case in Nigeria is as the Bible passage about princes walking on the ground while slaves ride on horses (Ecclesiastes 10:7).

In a country where Building Professionals are not regarded for who they are and what they have to offer, they are bound to face such challenges. Many clients believe that using a professional is extra and unnecessary spending. They would instead bring in a relative or family friend who knows nothing about construction to be on site. Even when they agree to have a Professional on site, they want to check and monitor everything he or she does or even allow the suggestions of family and friends to override the suggestions and inputs of these Professionals.

The issue of using a professional and a licensed one for projects cannot be overemphasized. It may look expensive initially, but it saves a client a lot more. You can imagine how much loss this particular owner of the collapsed building must have incurred.

The government must do everything within its power to ensure only professionals are on construction sites in Nigeria. By Professionals, I mean individuals who have been trained in construction in some tertiary institutions for some number of years, not just random individuals who take a three-day certification course in Project Management and think they are fit to handle a project.

Professionals must also be willing and ready to take their stance and say no to Clients on some issues, even if it will cost them the job.

However, when we all decide to do right in this country, we will begin to see the correct resu