Nigerians have been adviced to always allow qualified Engineers to handle their building projects, to avoid incidents of building collapse and other related consequences.
This advice was given by Civil and Structural Engineers who spoke to Progress FM reporter during an event, Walk Against Building and Infrastructure Collapse, held in Ado Ekiti.
The programme, with the theme, “Say No to Building Collapse; Build Right and Build safe”, was organised by the Nigerians Institution of Civil Engineers, Ekiti State Chapter while the Walk took participants through major streets of Ado Ekiti.
The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin Ekiti, Professor Engr. Gbenga Aribisala noted that the walk was to draw the attention of the public to rising cases of Building Collapse.
Professor Aribisala noted that building collapse have several effects like Loss of Resources, waste of Time, Disability, Death, among others.
He enjoined government at all levels to employ qualified Civil Engineers to oversee its building and other infrastructure projects.
The Head, Civil Engineering Department, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Engr. Dr Omolade Olulope described the walk as educative, which is to let the people know the consequences of handing over their building projects to quacks.
Engr. Olulope advised the people not to mind the high cost of employing professionals but they should consider durability and safety.
Also speaking, Chairman, Nigerian Society of Civil Engineers, Ekiti State, Ven. Engr. Samuel Ogundare said apart from the Walk, the body also embark on production of Radio jingles, public discuss and printing of hand flyers, to draw attention of the people to incidents of building collapse.
Engr. Ogundare summed up the event as campaign against quackery and the need to give professional Engineers opportunity to do their jobs.
