Building collapses claim 1,574 lives in 50 years, says BCPG

Nigeria witnessed 1,574 deaths in 627 reported incidents of building collapse between 1974 and 2024, according to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild.

The guide said in a release that the first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1974 in Oyo State, where a multi-story building collapsed due to excessive loading, killing 27 people.

It stated, “The Building Collapse Prevention Guild has reported from its record, from October 1, 1974, to September 17, 2024, 1,574 deaths occurred in 627 reported incidents of building collapse in Nigeria.

“The first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1974 in Oyo State, involving a multi-story building that collapsed due to excessive loading, resulting in the death of 27 people.

“The latest building collapse, in BCPG record, happened in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where a residential building collapsed in the early hours of Monday, September 16, 2024, during a heavy downpour, and four persons were injured.”

According to the guide, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations building collapse, which led to the loss of 116 people.

It recalled, “On Friday, September 12, 2014, a tragic incident occurred when a 7-storey multipurpose building within the Synagogue Church of All Nations premises in Ikotun, Lagos State, Nigeria, collapsed. In response to this devastating news, members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Igando-Ikotun Cell rushed to the scene to offer assistance.

“Sadly, 116 people, including some foreigners, lost their lives in this calamitous collapse, while many others sustained various degrees of injury.”

The guild noted that it was tasked by the coroner’s inquest to investigate the causes of the collapse that led to such a huge loss of lives.

It posited, “As an independent body of built environment professionals, BCPG was tasked by the coroner’s inquest to investigate the causes of the collapse that led to such a huge loss of lives. An intensive technical investigation was carried out pro bono, resulting in a comprehensive report that became instrumental in the subsequent court prosecution.

“Today marks the 10th anniversary of this unfortunate building collapse. How time flies!

“However, a pressing question weighs on our minds on this solemn day: What is the outcome of the court case? We hereby call on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro, SAN, to provide an answer to this important and legitimate question.”

The guild added that justice delayed was justice denied, describing that the lack of consequences and deterrence fostered a culture of impunity in the country.

“Since the fatal Synagogue building collapse, BCPG has recorded 306 additional building collapses in Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 508 people, with many others injured. This preventable loss of lives and the colossal waste of building materials must stop!

“Today, BCPG members offer prayers for the repose of the souls lost and for divine comfort and protection for the bereaved.

“The September 12 anniversary serves as a reminder to all Nigerians to prioritise safety in building construction to prevent the continued loss of precious lives through these tragic building collapses. Prevention is superior to damage control,” the guild mentioned.