CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF INCESSANT BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA.

In consideration of the enormous importance of construction industry to the economy of any nation, Nigeria not exempted, the quest to achieve sustainable development across the country requires a healthy construction industry devoid of incessant building collapses. Unfortunately, the incessant occurrence of collapse of existing buildings, abandoned buildings and buildings under construction in the country appears not to be encouraging, thereby calling for urgent attention of all stakeholders. The aim therefore of conducting this study was to determine the remote causes of incessant building collapse in Nigeria, and to proffer solutions to checkmating the menace. A questionnaire survey was carried out to extract opinions from built environment professionals in relation to the study. The findings indicated that the remote causes of building collapse in the country is attributed to; use of quacks, use of substandard/inadequate material, poor workmanship, lack of adherence to design specifications, lack of proper supervision by professionals, failure of client to pay for professional services, proliferation of market with sub-standard material, professional negligence/compromise, corruption in governance and lack of government concern. The study recommends that various built environment professional should form an alliance to stamp out “quacks” from carrying out design and construction supervision in the country, town planning units and standard organization of Nigeria (SON) must ensure that existing development laws are strengthened, empowered and invoked, and finally, government must work towards improving the economy to ensure that the common man can access and afford professional services and adequate building materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]