‎Building collapse: Ondo rallies experts to curb quackery

By Adedotun Aderoboye
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‎In order to avert structural failures and enforce building standards, the Ondo State Government has rallied professional bodies in the construction sector to establish a joint front against quackery and illegal construction.
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‎The strategic move was made during an interactive stakeholders’ session at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development headquarters in Akure, the state capital.
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‎According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Information, Williams Oni, representatives from major regulatory and professional institutes were in attendance at the crucial meeting.
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‎The bodies include the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) and the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN).
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‎Speaking at the session, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Olajide, stated that seamless collaboration with industry experts is central to actualising the urban renewal and physical planning agenda of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
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‎Hon. Olajide charged the leadership of the professional bodies to take aggressive steps to eradicate quackery, curb the use of substandard materials and stop the impersonation of registered experts at construction sites across the state.
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‎He noted that rigorous supervision by certified professionals and adherence to quality construction standards remain non-negotiable prerequisites for preventing building collapses.
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‎The Commissioner also cautioned developers who commence construction without approvals, alter sanctioned building plans or forge ministry approval orders, warning that offenders will face strict regulatory penalties and prosecution.
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‎Lending their voices, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretaries, Chief Oluwagbenga Akingbasote of Physical Planning and Mr. Abimbola Tofowomo of Building Control, outlined the ministry’s operational frameworks covering stages of building approvals, mandatory inspections, site monitoring and enforcement.
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‎In their remarks, leaders of the professional associations lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa for implementing proactive policies that have shielded Ondo State from the tragic building collapses recorded in other parts of the country.
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‎They tasked the state government to accelerate the passage of the Ondo State Urban and Regional Planning bill into law, automate building approval processes, step up public awareness and expand the ministry’s departmental structure to absorb more built-environment specialists.