Urban To Strengthen Structural Evaluation For Edifices

 The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has directed that, it would carry out independent  structural evaluation on houses that are above two storey building ,which is three floors to avoid building collapse in the State.  

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Austen Ben Chioma made the disclosure  when members of Nigeria Institute of Builders paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt.

Hon. Ben Chioma also said that a monitoring team from the ministry made up of professionals have been going round to ensure that builders comply with  laid down building  standards as provided by the State Ministry of Urban Development.

He however, regretted that most Land Developers do not comply with basic structural requirements like the  EIS, SAR&P  and soil tests which are meant to determine the soil's ability to carry a particular building in a given area.

The Commissioner noted that much as the Government takes into consideration the present harsh economic realities  of the day, the right thing he said, must always be done to safeguard lives and property.

Hon. Chioma noted that Builders who run foul of the Ministry's laid down procedures on property development are made to pay contravention fees adding that the fees are not meant to discourage people from owning and building houses but to ensure that standards are strictly adhered to.

The Commissioner gave assurances of tapping from the expertise of members of the Organisation of Institute of Builders in carrying out their responsibilities in the areas of monitoring and evaluation.

Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Builders, Bldr. Ugo Ohuabunwa said that in complying with  building standards, the builders document which  is the quality control document of the site, the safety and work plan must be incorporated to make improvement  at controlling members of the body and also training of artisans while also sensitising Land Developers in relevant areas.

He said that the Body is ready to work in synergy with the Ministry by not only providing skilled manpower but also offering professional guidance where necessary, adding that, unprofessionalism had been the bane of building collapse in the society.