Towards preventing building collapse in Nigeria (II)

First and foremost, it should be noted that building production entails planning, design and construction. In each of the aforementioned phases of building production, there are specialist, that have concentrated on and become expert in undertaking work at such phase of building production. They have become professionals that are statutorily recognized to carry out work at that stage. That is why even the minimum standards on building set out in the National Building Code, NBC 2006 were presented based on the following stages: pre-design, design, construction and post construction stages. It is expected that for each of these phases of building production, operation and maintenance, there are professionals that are qualified to carry out work at that stage. Thus building production requires the input of various professionals - is teamwork. Additionally, in order to take advantage of the accrued benefits of specialization, the law or building control regulations provides that only the professional that specializes in such an area, is qualified to undertake work in such stage of construction. For instance, at design stage, Surveyor set the pace of the whole process by providing vital information that will enable the Town Planner undertake the plan at macro level while the Architect plan the building at micro level, by producing the architectural design of the building. He acts as the prime consultant - in many of the various contract procurement methods used in building projects, most especially, the traditional contract procurement system. There is, also the engineers - geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical who also produce individual design within their area of specialization, they are mainly concern with strength, stability, safety, security, thermal comfort, waste management, etc in building. Another key professional is the Quantity Surveyor who performs vital functions, as expert in construction cost - which include, among others, cost plan, determination of approximate cost of the project, elemental cost, preparation of Bill of Quantities, gives advice on cost implication and even the appropriate form of contract to use, etc. Then, there is the Professional Builder who is a production expert. He is the one responsible for the actual construction of building. In other words, he is the one saddled with responsibility of translating designs, working drawings, schedules and specifications into physical structure. However Professional Builder’s role is not confined to construction phase but starts right from planning/design stage, where he prepares Builder’s document - Construction Methodology, Construction Programme, Project Quality Management Plan, Project Health and Safety Plan, Early Warning Systems Chart and Information Requirement Schedule - as part of contract document prepared at the planning stage. Another important professional who is, ideally, supposed to be involved in building development process is the Estate Surveyor and Valuer, he, among other things, gives advice on essential measures and features that will add value to any development. He provides vital information that will assist in the design and development of commercial and speculative building projects.

From the foregoing, it can be observed that building production is the collaborative responsibility of different professionals. Each professional has his own responsibility. In view of the fact that the works of professionals are interrelated, each professional requires the basic knowledge of other areas of specializations, to enable him perform effectively.

Thus refusal of many of the professionals in the construction industry to confine or concentrate on their own area of professional calling - “cross carpeting” is one of the major problems that lead to quackery, and hence, the construction of defective structure which, ultimately, brings about building collapse. There is no doubt that there are host of other problems that lead to such situation (involvement of unqualified professional in building production) such as difficulty in getting professional registration, scarcity of qualified professionals, unemployment, selfishness, greediness, etc.

Another problem that is closely related to the aforementioned problem, is the failure of some our important and respected professionals to recognize the dividing line between “supervising” and “managing building production”. Buildings are, at present, of increasing technological complexity and the quality of workmanship or standards needed even for building that is not complex, are very high and, such requirement is gradually becoming less country specific to the extent that, a single professional cannot, ideally, claim to design and manage their production.

Major way in which professionals can help is that they should honestly and sincerely make concerted effort to improve and update their knowledge of their profession. In other words they must participate in a constant learning process and develop practical skills that will enable them perform further than the training they receive. They should confine their practice to the field or area of specialization permitted by the law to practice. Built environment professionals ought to act with truthfulness, dignity and uprightness. Sincere attempt should be made to avoid greediness and selfishness. Besides that, professionals should uphold or acquire sterling qualities required of whosoever is going to work in a team such as maintaining good relationship with colleagues and clients. To be continued… Danwata is an Associate Professor at the Department of Building, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; drdaudadahiru@yahoo.com, 08022601115.