Ogun Govt Moves To Prevent Building Collapse, Plans Meeting With Professionals

Ogun State Government has highlighted the importance of engaging registered professionals, such as builders and engineers, in all construction projects as a veritable measure of ensuring due diligence and preventing incidences of building collapse.

Acting General Manager, Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA), Bldr. (Mrs.) Titilayo Oladogbon, revealed this while leading the team that investigated the recent collapse of a school building at Mayagi Community Comprehensive High School in Ilase, Ipokia Local Government Area, following Governor Dapo Abiodun’s directive.

The investigating team led by Ogun State Building Production Management Authority, in collaboration with the Ogun State Materials Testing Laboratory (OGMTL) and the Zonal Town Planning Office, Oke-Odan, found out that the collapsed structure was built over a decade ago through community efforts and had long exhibited significant structural flaws.

 "Our investigation reveals that the collapsed building was constructed with laterite blocks and insufficient bonding material, indicating poor workmanship and substandard materials.

“We equally discovered indicators including structural cracks, weakened foundations, and sagging roofs, which are often precursors to building collapse, especially during severe weather events," Oladogbon stated.

She lamented that the practice of using substandard materials often leads to building collapse, pointing out that the situation could be prevented when qualified professionals were involved.

The Acting GM, while offering condolences to the school and the community, called for strategic planting of trees to mitigate likely damage  by storm and heavy winds as trees were natural windbreakers, urging the public to report any sign of distressed buildings to the Building Authority immediately.

The team also conducted thorough assessments of the remaining three school buildings and material samples from the collapsed structure were collected for an in-depth laboratory.

Speaking in an interview, the school principal, Mr. Ezekiel Ogundele, appreciated the State government for the prompt action, saying all the necessary steps to secure the remaining buildings and protect students would be taken to ensure safety of lives and property.