Ogun State Government has taken a decisive step to forestall building collapse and its attendant loss of lives and property, as it signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a built professional body, the Building Collapse Protection Guild (BCPG).

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Tunji Odunlami stated this today during the signing of the MoU ceremony organised by Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA), at the Ministry’s conference room in Abeokuta.

Odunlami said the issue of building collapse necessitated the urgent need for synergy between the State government and BCPG, to stem the tide of building collapse and the use of substandard materials.

He pointed out that the menace is caused by faulty designs, use of quacks rather than appropriate registered professionals both in design and construction of buildings and other structures, use of substandard building materials, unapproved change of design during construction, non-adherence to building approvals, and others.

He affirmed that the Guild has hitherto been active as a whistleblower, alerting relevant government agencies of illegal and distressed buildings, as well as the use of substandard materials by developers and homeowners.

 “This is a novel and pioneering collaboration that must not be allowed to fail. You cannot afford to give excuses; we will not hesitate to report any unprofessional conduct to the appropriate professional and regulatory bodies of your members for necessary action”, he said.

He disclosed that BCPG is a registered non-governmental group of built industry and related professionals which cut across all the professions including, Town Planning, Building, Engineering, Architecture, Surveyors, Estate Surveying and Quantity Surveying and others who are built industry practitioners but are also professionals in their various field of endeavor.

In his goodwill message, President of BCPG, Engr. Eddy Atumonyogo commended Prince Dapo Abiodun for the giant steps towards safeguarding the lives and investment of the residents, adding that his administration had given due attention to the Built sector.

According to Atumonyogo, “the administration has demonstrated that prevention is better than cure by promoting the collaborative effort between professionals in the State Civil Service and those in the private sector towards eliminating the ugly menace of building collapse”.

In his speech, Chairman, Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Ogun State chapter, Engr. Surv. Olusegun Sogbetun said the challenge of ensuring that mankind lives in a safe and conducive environment had been left on the shoulders of the professionals in the built environment.

He said the MoU will allow members to help in the monitoring of the various stages and processes of building construction in the State to ensure that they are built according to the approved design and required standard, appreciating the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the initiative.

The signing of MoU was witnessed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odushile, and other relevant professional bodies in the State.