Environment
KENNETH Nduka, the President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), has called for structural integrity test of all defected buildings in Lagos State to stem increasing rate of building collapse.
Nduka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the conduct of integrity test would ascertain the buildings’ structural stability.
He said that integrity test on the existing concrete structure was often conducted for assessment to ascertain if the structure was suitable for its designed use.
According to him, there is need for the state government to develop a continuous monitoring concept for structure through integrity test.
“It will help to checkmate the incidence of building collapse across the state.
“Building have a life span. Any building above 10 years should be subjected to structural integrity test.
“The structural integrity test is like a checkup on building to determine if it is still structurally stable to serve the targeted purpose.
“If the test can be conducted for at least five years intervals and develop continuous monitoring concepts for structure, defected buildings will be dictated, demolished and rebuilt,” he said.
Nduka said that more buildings with defective structure would be revealed by the incessant downpour as the rainy season set in.
He added that a structural test would also enable property owners to do the needful before their buildings eventually collapsed.
Nduka urged the state government to set up a monitoring team that would move round to dictate structurally defected buildings and report to the appropriate authority.
“I want to suggest to the state government to establish Special Building Development Marshals to complement the efforts of the government professional officers in charge of physical development.
“The special corps will provide information to the appropriate authority on any suspected illegal development or structurally defected building,” he said.
Nduka appealed to the residents to raise alarm and inform government immediately they see building, whether existing, under-construction or being renovated with questionable integrity. (NAN)
– Jun. 8, 2018 @ 13:23 GMT |
Tags: Expert calls for structural integrity test on defected buildings
