Disturbed by recurring cases of building collapse, the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has called for the strict enforcement of building regulations, urging authorities to ensure only qualified professionals handle construction projects to prevent further tragedies.
The call was made by the Chairman of the institute, Mr. Mustapha Mukhtar, during an assessment visit to the site of a recent building collapse along Sultan Road in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the institute’s Public Relations Officer, Salim Bashir-Abdullahi, Mukhtar stressed that building regulations must be strictly enforced on both public and private construction projects to curb the recurring incidents.
Expressing deep concern over the collapse, he urged the Kano State Government, the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and other regulatory agencies to ensure that only qualified and registered professionals are engaged in construction works.
Following an inspection of the site, the NIA delegation said there was no visible evidence that registered construction professionals were involved in the project.
The delegation also observed the absence of project signboards on roads leading to the site and at the construction location, as well as a lack of basic on-site safety measures, including temporary site fencing.
According to the institute, the apparent absence of professional oversight raises serious concerns about compliance with statutory building regulations and established professional standards.
Mukhtar described the recurring cases of building collapse as a serious public safety concern, stressing that effective enforcement of regulatory provisions and the mandatory engagement of registered professionals are essential to protecting lives, property, and restoring public confidence in the construction industry.
He further emphasised that architects and other registered built environment professionals, including engineers and quantity surveyors, play critical roles in ensuring that buildings are properly designed, coordinated, supervised, and executed in line with approved standards and applicable regulations.
Mukhtar also extended the institute’s sympathy to victims of the incident and reaffirmed the Kano chapter’s commitment to working with government agencies, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders to promote professionalism, public safety, and sustainable development across the state.
