In a preliminary report, the investigative panel established by the Federal Government to examine the collapse of a two-story school building in Jos, Plateau State, has reported severe structural deficiencies and the use of substandard materials.
The collapse, which occurred on Friday, resulted in the tragic deaths of over 22 people.
News About Nigeria reported that the disaster took place at Saint Academy in the Busa Buji community of Jos North Local Government Area.
During regular school hours, the building unexpectedly gave way, trapping many students and teachers.
Emergency responders managed to rescue approximately 154 people, who were then transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Addressing the press in Jos on Tuesday, Samson Duna, the Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, provided insights from the panel led by O.F. Job of the University of Jos’s Building Department.
The investigation revealed several critical flaws in the construction of the building, including dubious concrete quality, lack of proper boundary between concrete and steel reinforcement, and insufficient slab reinforcement anchorage.
Additionally, the foundation footings were significantly smaller than the required specifications.
“The panel has started its investigation, and initial findings show that the building was visibly distressed,” said Duna.
“The concrete quality is questionable, and there is no clear separation between concrete and steel reinforcement. The provided slab reinforcement anchorage was inadequate, and the foundation footings were undersized. A full report will be issued once the investigation is completed.”
Duna urged the government and construction industry professionals to mandate integrity tests on all potentially compromised buildings, particularly those in proximity to the collapsed structure.
He emphasised the importance of regular inspections and penalties for non-compliance to mitigate the frequent occurrence of building collapses in Nigeria.
The institute has intervened in over 60 such incidents, with an alarming average of 20 collapses annually, predominantly during the rainy season.
Duna called for a comprehensive approach to prevent future collapses, advocating for strict adherence to building codes, regulations, and standards.
He pointed out the persistent lack of inspections and accountability, noting that no individuals have been penalised for negligence related to building collapses to date.
“Professionalism must be upheld by ensuring only qualified architects, engineers, and builders are involved in construction projects. Contractors using borrowed certificates from professionals should face sanctions along with the certificate owners. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educating the populace on building safety and the risks associated with illegal construction,” Duna added.
He also stressed the need for collaboration among government agencies, construction professionals, and the public to share knowledge and best practices.
Additionally, he called for ongoing professional development through refresher training for industry professionals in Nigeria.
