FEMD identifies causes of building collapse, flood, fire incidents in Abuja

Stories By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD)  has identified fourteen major causes of the recent series of emergencies that occurred between 24th June and 13th July 2024 in Abuja, which it responded to, alongside other agencies and partners.

FEMD disclosed that within the past twenty (20) days, it responded to the following major (7) incidents – ranging from flood incident at Trademore Estate, fire incident at Karu market, building collapse incident at Guzape District, building collapse at Prince and Princess Estate, building collapse – Nkwere Street, Garki, building collapse- Kubwa Phase II, to suicide attempt and Aso Tv/Radio Mast, Katampe.

Briefing newsmen on the situation yesterday, the FEMD’s acting Director General, Lady Florence Wenegieme, said among causes of the incidents that occurred within the period are building on water ways and flood plains, persistent attitude of residents dumping waste on water ways, non-adherence to Fire Safety Code, use of substandard electrical materials, illegal electricity connection, storage of volatile substances in markets, and high use of combustible materials in building construction.

Wenegieme others include non-adherence to the National Building code, activities of quacks in building construction, use of sub-standard construction materials, violation of building approval through additional loads, building or carrying out maintenance work without regulatory approvals, non-compliance to the Land Use Act, as well as non-conduct of environmental impact assessment before building construction.

She however, opined that going forward in terms of preventing, mitigating or responding to such incidents, there is the urgent need to strengthen collective action on some outlined measures.

According to her, the measures include review of the existing laws in the building industry to tackle the rising trend of building collapse incidents- including stiffer punishment for violators, especially when lives are lost.

She added that the Fire Safety Code should be reviewed to stipulate the use of non-combustible materials in building construction in order to reduce fire risk.

“There is the need to review and strengthen fire safety regulations- in terms of inclusive access to fire Extinguishers (proper placement), Fire Alarms, Directional sign age/emergency communication for all users of public buildings.

“There is the need for Building Regulatory Agencies and Departments to step up quality assurance in terms of use of standard materials in building construction from start to finish.

“Developers should submit an Environmental Impact Assessment report of the building site together with Building Plan, to enable proper assessment of the technical specifications side by side the peculiarities of the location to avoid building collapse.

“There is the need to involve professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Nigerian Institution of Quantity Surveyors, Nigerian Institute of Roads and Building Infrastructure, Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers in building approval and inspection.

“There is the need to carry out Integrity Test on all storey buildings within the location of a collapsed building, amd all developers should provide insurance cover to workers on site throughout the duration of the project.

“Building regulatory Agencies and Departments should make it mandatory for developers to carry out Integrity Test on structures before carrying out renovation or resuming construction work, where such structures have been abandoned for a longer period.

“Developers should provide artisans and labourers on site with Personnel Protective Wears to enhance their safety, and  Department of Development Control should make it mandatory that Developers should submit the professional certification of Site Engineers as part of securing building approval to eliminate the activities of quacks and also make the Developers more accountable when building collapse incidents occur.

“Building Regulatory Agencies and Departments should strengthen regulatory compliance by Developers to technical requirements in building construction with regards to structural stability against- dead loads (self-weight, permanent load) and live loads (imposed loads) which are mostly compromised by used of sub-standard materials.

“All owners of buildings above (2) storeys should submit a report to the Department of Development Control every 3 years- detailing the status of their elevators, fire equipment and other critical facilities – including last maintenance carried out and the date, as part of maintaining the fitness of the structure for habitation.

“Developers should submit building plan with clear specifications of construction materials to be used- including electrical fittings and other necessary facilities for the purpose of Quality Assurance compliance monitoring.

“All buildings should be inspected by relevant authorities on completion to see if they meet minimum safety standards before they are certified for human habitation or whatever purpose they are meant for.

“The National orientation Agency should intensify its campaign on civic responsibility to stimulate positive behavior and a sense patriotism among citizens at this period rather than some resorting to suicide attempts or other forms of negative behavior”, the FEMD stated.

She further added that  part of FEMD’s disaster risk reduction drive, the Department within the limits of available resources- and in the spirit of humanitarian work, has been carrying out activities such

monitoring to ensure that structures standing on water ways which have been removed, as instructed by the Honourable Minister, do not spring up again; multi-disaster risk sensitization and awareness campaign in the media and through community outreach;

Production and airing of Early Warning jingles in five (5) different languages pertaining to flood fire outbreaks, building collapse and other potential emergencies.