FCTA sets up seven-man committee to tackle Abuja building collapse

The Federal Capital Territory (FCTA) has established a seven-member committee within the Department of Development to proactively address the issues of building collapses in Abuja.

After inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Director of the department, Mr. Muktar Galadima, informed newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that this initiative was taken as part of preventative measures against the recurring problem of building collapses in the federal capital.

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The committee comprises representatives from the Council for Registered Engineers of Nigeria, Town Planners Registration Council, Builders Registration Council, National Institute of Building, Road Research Institute, Standards Organization of Nigeria, and other relevant organizations.

Galadima emphasized that the committee’s responsibility extends beyond just visibly unstable structures, as it will also recommend integrity tests for buildings that may appear stable but pose hidden risks.

Additionally, the director revealed that the committee will provide recommendations on how to minimize the incidence of building collapses in the Federal Capital Territory. He also mentioned that the seven-man committee will also identify qualified professionals to conduct integrity tests.

The director referred to this mission as a “national call” and stated that the committee has an initial two-month timeline to fulfil its responsibilities.

Galadima issued a warning that any department officials engaging in unethical practices would face consequences per civil service regulations and existing laws.

The committee’s chairman, Mr. Allabeh Ndirmbula, highlighted that building collapse can result from various causes, including materials, construction methods, design flaws, misuse, unqualified personnel, aging structures, and disasters, among others.

Ndirmbula, who once served as the president of TOPREC, said the committee will concentrate its efforts on Phase 1 areas of the FCT, specifically Wuse 1 and 2, Garki, and Asokoro.

Also, Mr Ajibade Adeyinka, a Deputy Director in Development Control and the committee’s secretary described the building industry as complex. He highlighted the interconnected roles of various professionals involved in constructing buildings and pointed out issues like compromises, quackery, and inadequate supervision and monitoring.

Ndirmbula stressed the committee’s commitment to prevent future building collapses, saying, “What has already happened, we can’t help it; but the future is what we are looking at. We want to make sure that from now on, we have a system that checks against building collapse.”

Similarly, Adeyinka noted that the committee’s objective is to assess existing structures, processes, and procedures within the industry and make necessary adjustments to address shortcomings.

In his words,