Foundation Practitioners, Drillers’ Forum Proffers Solution to Failure
Built environment professionals, including engineers, Architects, Drillers, Builders, among others took a step further, recently at a daylong specialised workshop to examine the problem of foundation failures in building collapse and proffer solutions to the challenge.
This brainstorming session was put together by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Kosofe Cell, and was held at the Council Secretariat, Ogudu Lagos.
It was a clear departure from the former practice of addressing general issues at workshops on building collapse-related matters.
Participants deliberated extensively on ‘Taking a step to reduce frequent failure of building foundation in Lagos’ where it was agreed that there was a need to organise the drillers into a recognizable group rather than the current practice of all comers’ affair. The also discussed the need to patronise experts in executing building projects, among others.
In her welcome address, coordinator of BCPG Kosofe Cell, Mrs. Jane Ogbu, a builder, noted that the workshop, the first in the series for the group in the year was aimed to move forward the campaign to prevent building collapse particularly at the foundation level.
She said this became very important because of the crucial role foundation play in erection of building that can withstand the text of time.
Chairman of the occasion and the President, Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE) Engr. OreOluwa Fadayomi, expressed concern on the frequent cases of building collapse which he said often times are traced to foundation problem.
The NIStructE chief who believed that ‘Foundation is the bedrock of everything’, stressed that the importance of carrying out proper soil investigation, geotechnical engineering in foundation cannot be over emphasise in solving the problem of building collapse.
He charged operators in the industry to have integrity in whatever they were doing and not to bow to pressure to compromise standard in carrying out their work. He particularly charged the drillers to come up together as an association so that people can easily identify the experts among them from those that do not really have the experience but are operating in the profession.
Fadayomi went further, “Integrity is key in anything we do. If a client is threatening you on what is professionally wrong, be bold to report to the right organ.”
He challenged professionals at the workshop contribute and share their knowledge and experience with others so that they can together find a lasting solution to the menace of building collapse.
Corroborating Fadayomi, the Ikeja Cell Secretary of BCPG, Mr. Frank Ikuewan, a geologist, said there is need for innovation in drilling system, adding that many of them have been using the same instrument over the years.
He however, called for accreditation of drillers and other people that are engaged in foundation practice, adding that although many of them have acquired knowledge but there is still a need to come together under one umbrella.
He added that safety measures is a very important issue which many people do not take serious in the process of building construction.
Representative of Nigeria Building and Road ResearchInstitute (NIBRRI), Edom Atomen, an Architect, said the major problem that is common to other sectors is implementation of the law and rules that guide activities in the sector.
He said different problems may arise in the process of erecting structures but that the most important thing is for soil investigation to be done before erecting any structure.
National President, BCPG, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, a builder, stressed that collapse of buildings has become a menace in Nigeria particularly in Lagos.
According to him, the problem of foundation failure is common in Mende, Ogudu, Soluyi and Kosofe areas of the state where foundation sinking is frequent issue, adding that it is even more embarrassing when pile foundation is failing in some of these areas.
He charged drillers and other practitioners in foundation construction to stand up to the challenge and ensure that they follow standard procedure while doing their job.
Mr. Femi Badmus, a driller, explained that it is unfortunate now adays that many site engineers does not know what their boys are doing on site, saying that many of them are not keen about going visiting the site but stay in the comfort of their office.
He called on the Nigerian Society of Engineers to regulate the profession.