The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has raised serious concerns over the frequent cases of building collapses in Lekki, Lagos, and the lack of official investigations into their causes. This alarming trend, according to the guild, poses a significant risk of recurrence, endangering lives and property. The BCPG has highlighted several incidents, including the collapse of a two-storey building in Northern Foreshore Estate and a three-storey building in Mega Mall Estate, both of which resulted in fatalities. The guild emphasizes that without thorough investigations, the root causes of these collapses remain unaddressed, leaving room for future disasters. This article delves into the BCPG’s statement, the recurring incidents, and the urgent need for government action to prevent further tragedies.
In a detailed statement, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of building collapses in Lekki, Lagos, and the absence of official investigations to determine their causes. The guild pointed to a specific incident on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, when the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported the collapse of a two-storey building under construction at the gated Northern Foreshore Estate, off Chevron Drive, Lekki. Tragically, this incident claimed the lives of two individuals. On the same day, another three-storey building under construction collapsed at Mega Mall Estate, Mobil Road, Inikpa, Ikota, Lekki, resulting in two more fatalities, as reported by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The BCPG noted that rescue operations, while necessary, often involve the use of heavy-duty plant and equipment to dismantle and compress the debris. While these tools are essential for saving lives, they inadvertently destroy critical evidence required for thorough investigations. This destruction of evidence not only hampers the ability to determine the cause of the collapse but also puts survivors at risk of being further injured or crushed during the rescue process. The guild stressed that while sophisticated equipment is ideal for rescue operations, there must be a balance to preserve evidence for post-collapse analysis.
Another tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, when a four-storey building under construction collapsed at Oriwu Street, Lekki Phase One. This collapse resulted in the death of four individuals and left many others injured. Members of the BCPG Lekki Cell conducted a technical visit to the site and, based on their observations and information gathered, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse. However, the guild expressed skepticism about the likelihood of government action, citing past experiences where similar calls for investigations were ignored.
The BCPG referenced a previous incident on Sunday, September 9, 2022, when a nine-storey building under construction collapsed at Prince Idowu Abiodun Road, Oniru, Victoria Island Extension. This collapse claimed four lives, yet despite documented efforts by the BCPG to push for an official investigation, no action was taken by the government. A similar pattern was observed when a five-storey building under construction collapsed on Monday, November 4, 2013, within the premises of Iru-Victoria Island Eti Osa Local Council Development Area along Muri Okunola Street. Despite a meeting with the then Chairman of the Local Government, Abayomi Daramola, on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, where the BCPG advised the government to conduct a post-mortem analysis to determine the scientific reasons for the collapse, no investigation was carried out.
The guild highlighted that such inaction on the part of the government could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to protect culpable individuals. The BCPG reiterated that unraveling the causes of building collapses and implementing the resulting recommendations are crucial steps in preventing future tragedies. The Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, CAP U2 Lagos State Building Control Agency Regulations, 2019, section 25 sub-section 4, stipulates that any structure that collapses due to negligence on the part of the developer shall be sealed off and forfeited to the State Government after due investigation and publication of the notice of forfeiture in the State Official Gazette. However, the BCPG lamented that this law is often not enforced, allowing negligent developers to escape accountability.
The BCPG also referenced the collapse of a three-storey building under construction at No. 13, Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Mende in Maryland, Lagos, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. This incident resulted in the death of five or six individuals. The BCPG Kosofe Cell, after conducting a preliminary investigation and discovering several anomalies, wrote an open letter to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, demanding an official investigation. However, to date, no investigation has been carried out, leading to speculations that the developer of the building may be influential and thus shielded from accountability. The guild questioned whether the land had been confiscated by the government, as required by law.
Another incident highlighted by the BCPG was the collapse of a three-storey building under construction within an estate on Ajiran Road, Agungi, Lekki, on Tuesday, September 22, 2015. This tragedy prompted the BCPG Lekki Cell to alert the public to the prevalence of quacks in construction works within some Lekki estates. The guild emphasized the need for developers to verify the qualifications of individuals entrusted with sensitive site roles to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The BCPG also recalled the devastating collapse of a six-story building under construction at Kusenla Street, Ikate-Elegushi in Lekki on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. This tragedy claimed the lives of 34 individuals and left about 12 others injured. In response, members of the BCPG Lekki Cell, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, mounted day and night surveillance over the site to ensure that no evidence was removed. This proactive measure underscored the guild’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind building collapses and holding responsible parties accountable.
The BCPG’s statement concluded with a call to action, urging the government to prioritize the investigation of building collapses and enforce existing laws to prevent future tragedies. The guild emphasized that unravelling the causes of collapses and implementing the resulting recommendations are essential steps in safeguarding lives and property. The BCPG also called on developers to adhere to safety standards and ensure that only qualified professionals are involved in construction projects.
The Building Collapse Prevention Guild has sounded the alarm on the frequent building collapses in Lekki, Lagos, and the lack of official investigations into their causes. The guild’s statement highlights several tragic incidents and underscores the urgent need for government action to prevent future disasters. By enforcing existing laws and conducting thorough investigations, the government can hold negligent developers accountable and ensure the safety of buildings in Lagos. The BCPG’s call to action serves as a reminder that the prevention of building collapses requires a collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government, developers, and construction professionals. Only through such collaboration can the recurrence of these tragic incidents be prevented, ensuring a safer environment for all residents of Lagos.
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