Regulatory authorities have been urged to strictly enforce existing building regulations to curb the increasing incidence of building collapses across the country. The call followed preliminary investigations into recent building failures which revealed widespread non-compliance with safety standards.
According to a statement from the National Building Agency, at least 15 building collapses have been reported in the past year, resulting in 23 fatalities and dozens of injuries. Investigations found that many structures were built without proper permits, used substandard materials, or were constructed on unstable land.
βWe cannot continue to lose lives due to negligence and corruption,β said Dr. Amina Yusuf, Director of the National Building Agency. βEnforcement must be immediate and uncompromising.β
The agency has recommended increased inspections, stricter penalties for violators, and public awareness campaigns. Local governments have been asked to allocate resources for building control units.