The Nigerian building and Road Research Institute has set up an investigation committee to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the collapse of the 21storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos State, south-west Nigeria Which has a death toll of over 38 persons and nine survivors at the last count.
The Director General of the building and Road Research Institute, Professor Samson Danu, who disclosed this during a telephone interview said the committee is made up of professionals and stakeholders in the built industry to investigate the actual caused of the building collapse.
“NBRRI has set up an investigative committee comprising Lagos-based professionals and stakeholders in the built environment with specific terms of reference to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the collapse,” he said.
Professor Danu further said that the building collapse team from the Institute of National Laboratory complex in Ogun State had visited the site to collect samples which will be subjected to thorough laboratory investigations and analysis.
According to him, the assignment is neither a probe nor an investigation of persons or organisations but an established practice designed to provide a ‘case-history’ based technical report enshrined in scientific and engineering principles to provide new knowledge and information to forestall future occurrence.
He therefore calls synergy between the Nigerian government and professional body.
“We want the National Assembly to enact a law if possible compelling construction to go through due process and also compelling the use of professionals to be involved in all construction process in the Country,” he added.
The Director General consoles with the families of the victim of the avoidable disaster and prays for a safer working environment for all on the built environment.
