The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has attributed the rising cases of building collapse across the country to poor regulation, infiltration of substandard building materials, and non-compliance with laid down rules in the building sector.
SON Officials led by the FCT Coordinator, Mr. Ishaku M. Gamagira inspecting the site
The Director-General/ Chief Executive of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, made this assertion at the site of the devastating collapse of a two-story building in Gwarimpa 4th Avenue in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking to Journalists at the scene, the Director General, represented by the SON FCT Coordinator, Mr. Ishaku M. Gamagira, noted that the organisation had commenced an investigation by taking samples of building materials from the site for laboratory test and analysis.
The SON helmsman described the incident as “avoidable and one collapse too many.” He urged the public to be vigilant when buying goods and to ensure that the products are certified by the standards body to avoid such mishaps.
The Director of SON North Central Operations, Mr. Saleh Babaji, commiserated with the families of the dead and injured. He called on all Nigerians, particularly authorities responsible for approvals and regulations, to adhere to approved standards in discharging their duties to save lives and properties.
The site of the building collapse in Gwarinpa, Abuja
He assured the public that SON would conduct a thorough investigation, given its mandate and abundance of competence in such investigations.
SON called for continuous collaborations from relevant agencies and all Nigerians to deliver on its mandate to the nation.
