Standards Organisation of Nigeria Calls for Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent Building Collapses
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle the recurrent issue of building collapses in the country. Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General of SON, highlighted that such an approach is essential to address these frequent incidents and ensure the safety and integrity of buildings across Nigeria.
In a statement released by SON, Dr. Okeke emphasised that strict adherence to specifications and codes of practice is critical for restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s construction sector. He expressed concern over the alarming rate of building collapses, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.
SON’s investigations have identified several key factors contributing to these frequent collapses, including poor structural designs, quackery, unprofessional practices, and insufficient soil testing. Dr. Okeke also pointed to substandard construction methods, unauthorised building projects, improper demolition practices, lack of maintenance, negligence, use of inferior materials like substandard steel reinforcement bars, and inadequate drainage systems as further exacerbating the problem.
Since 2004, SON has established 168 standards and codes of practice aimed at guiding contractors in the construction industry. Among these are the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) 117:2004 for Steel Bars for the Reinforcement of Concrete, NIS 499:2004 for Iron and Steel, NIS 588:2007 for Testing Hardened Concrete, and NIS 585:2007 for Concrete Admixtures. Other standards include NIS 156:1982 for Testing Fresh Concrete and NIS ISO 41001:2020 for Facility Management Systems.
Dr. Okeke explained that SON utilises its regulatory powers under the SON Act to monitor locally manufactured products through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme and to ensure that imported goods meet Nigerian standards before shipment through the SON Conformity Assessment Programme. To further enhance consumer protection, SON has also launched the Product Authentication Mark, enabling buyers to verify the authenticity of products before purchase.
“The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has established a special intervention task force dedicated to standardising steel reinforcement bars,” Dr. Okeke stated. “This includes engaging stakeholders and enforcing standards nationwide, with violators sanctioned under the SON Act No. 14 of 2015.”
Dr. Okeke also emphasised that SON is committed to sustaining collaboration with key regulatory bodies and development agencies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, the Ministry of Works, and other relevant organisations. This collaborative effort is vital to enhancing the quality and safety of construction practices in Nigeria, ultimately aiming to prevent further building collapses and safeguard public welfare.
