Ex-Perm. Sec. tasks NASS to enact law against building collapse

The National Assembly has been urged to enact a law that will empower government to stop and take over any building that fails to comply strictly with all regulations during construction.

A town planner and retired permanent secretary in Kwara State, Malam Bolakale Yusuf, who spoke to journalists in Ilorin at the weekend said, “such law, if enacted will put an end to incessant building collapse in the country.”

He added that such law will checkmate builders and developers who may want to cut corners and violate building laws while putting up structures.

Yusuf further lamented that a lot of innocent lives and properties had been lost to building collapse, caused by the failure of the developers to adhere to regulations guiding construction works.

The ex-permanent secretary also stressed the need for the engagement of only the professionals and qualified people at all stages of construction to ensure quality job.

He also recommended the unbundling of the state Town Planning Development Authorities as the way out of incessant building collapse and development of unorganized urban centres across the country.

Yusuf added that the unbundling of the agency into State Physical Planning Authorities and State Development Control Agencies at state levels would ensure effective and efficient housing delivery across the state.

He also identified the use of sub standard materials and lack of proper consultation before acquisition of land as causes of building collapse, urging the state government to continue to demonstrate genuine political will, in ensuring that the proposed Ilorin Master Plan sees the light of the day.