FG Plans Tougher Penalties over Building Collapses

FG Plans Tougher Penalties over Building Collapses

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has decried the impact of building collapse across the country, saying that punitive measures would be meted out to defaulters of building codes.

THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Director of Planning Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Mohammed Bala, disclosed this on Monday, adding that efforts were ongoing to curb the menace.

He made this disclosure in Gombe, at the opening of a five-day meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, with the theme “Housing the Future: Affordable Housing for Economic Growth, Climate Resilience and Urban Development.”

Bala said the Federal Government was working assiduously to ensure that the issue was minimised, following the impact on lives.

He explained, “The council is the highest body in policy-making for the lands, housing and urban development.

“We had asked for memos to be submitted around three months ago on concerns around housing development in the country.

“Over 60 organisations responded to the various topics on the themes we forwarded to provide inputs into how to resolve or improve the issue of the housing sector.”

Lamenting the incessant building collapse, Bala said, “Building collapse is not only about the house but about the lives of the people.

“If you care about the lives of the people, you must consider the issue of collapse. I have never seen instances where buildings collapse and you don’t lose property and lives, or people sustaining injuries.

“The problem of building collapse is a very serious issue. Mr President has seriously challenged the issue of building collapse, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, even set up a committee on the issue of building code.”

Speaking further, Bala said, “They have made presentations and you have seen in our programme that we have two sessions where issues of building collapse would be discussed.

“Experts have been invited to make presentations on that issue. It will be deliberated, discussed and reviewed and policies will be taken that will take effect in the entire country.

“In 2023, and 2024 we had the one in Jos, Lagos, and Abuja. Many buildings collapsed in the period. The one reported by the media is the one we know, but it’s happening every day, resulting from natural causes, non-adherence to building codes, and the use of substandard products.

“The Federal Government is trying to resolve it to ensure this is minimised.”

He added “The minister has been emphasising sanctions in every meeting.

“Recently, the tribunal for this housing was inaugurated and he said there should not be undue consideration, anyone who violates any code, or law should be sanctioned.”

The Gombe State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Dr Usman Kallamu, said the gathering would afford stakeholders the opportunity to recognise the importance of affordable housing in driving economic growth.

“It is pertinent to note that our collective goal is to provide opportunity for every individual to have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.”

Speaking on the effort of the state government in the actualisation of the Renewed Hope housing agenda, he said Gombe allocated a huge amount of money for infrastructural development in the 2024 budget, especially in housing units through separate partnerships with the North-East Development Commission and the Family Home Funds Limited.

He said this was in line with one of the priority pillars of Gombe State Development Plan 2020-2030 to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.