The frequent collapse of buildings in the country has negatively affected the reputation of the real estate industry, stakeholders have stated.
Building collapse, according to estate surveyor, Olorunyomi Alatise, is a significant issue in the built environment because it has a negative impact on professionals and poses sociopolitical risks that cause clients to question the professionalism, reputation, and trust of built environment professionals.
He said, “These cave-ins have left the industry in shambles, as they can be avoided if professionals stick to the guiding principles and stages of development. Professionals should own their place in the built environment by not giving in to pressure from their clients to sabotage the building codes and regulations of their subject locations.
“Regardless of the collapse of buildings, I believe a ready-to-deal investor would still invest, but such an investor would be careful in choosing the investment location and the professionals to work with. Invariably, business-wise, I think building collapse directly impacts the affected neighbourhood and professionals in the built environment.”
In the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer of Land Republic, Dr Victor Adegbile, said the frequent building collapse in Nigeria was a source of great concern to real estate developers.
He said, “These incidents not only result in the loss of lives and property but also have a severe impact on the reputation of the industry. The real estate industry is critical to Nigeria’s economy, providing housing and infrastructure for its growing population. Urgent action is required from all stakeholders to address the current situation.
“The government and regulatory bodies must enforce building codes and ensure that standard procedures and specifications are adhered to during construction. Quality control measures must be strictly followed, and substandard building materials should not be used. Real estate developers and professionals must operate with high ethical standards, and transparency is vital in the industry. Collaborating with the government, regulatory bodies, and industry professionals is essential to finding solutions to the challenges facing the industry. By working together, we can restore the industry’s reputation and ensure its growth and development.”
Also, the Treasurer of the Nigerian Institution of Building, Lagos Chapter, noted that the reputation of the industry was in shambles because of the recurrence of building collapse,
Meanwhile, a partner at Building Services Design Consultant Limited, Taye Olufemi, advised that the government should prioritise performing thorough assessments before approving the construction of any structure instead of yielding to the influence of patronage.
He said, “The whole society should rise to their responsibilities, and the authorities are not doing their due diligence. The laws are in existence but are not being effectively implemented. The inspectors being sent out for building monitoring are not qualified because many of them do not even know what to look out for, what the regulation says, or even have the required equipment.”
The Facility Manager of Eleganza Estates, Sogo Oyesode, noted that the government agency in charge of building control and monitoring had a long way to go.
He advised, “The synergy between the building control agencies and various building associations was not strong enough; most essentially, there are some policies that need to be in place for the building professionals to implement to avoid these collapses. Hence, it is difficult for the professionals in the building industry to curb these collapses without a strong, holistic, and transparent collaboration with the government.”
