The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Oyo State Chapter, has warned concerned authorities against the continued usage of the partially demolished Yinka Ayefele Music House in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The guild noted that the demolition has significant implications on the safety of the structural integrity of the building as well as that of the occupants and the environment.
In a statement signed by Mr. Oye Sobowale, and Kunle Olaoye, Chairperson and Secretary of BCPG Oyo State Chapter respectively, the body regretted that in spite of the inherent dangers of insidious structural defects and progressive deterioration, which may culminate in total failure, the building was still being inhabited and utilised in its present condition, thereby constituting a clear and present danger to all concerned.
The continued usage of the structure in its present state and in the absence of appropriate checks and measures to give it a clean bill of structural health, the BCPG statement further viewed it as unhealthy and unethical in these times.
“It is expected that, in line with International Best Practice, immediate and appropriate Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and other measures would be carried out following this action, to avert any collateral untoward development,” the statement read.
Therefore, the BCPG argued that in order to mitigate any undesirable scenario, the Guild, as a body of concerned stakeholders in the building industry, recommended that the usage of the partly demolished building for whatever function be discontinued with immediate evacuation of all and sundry from the building.
The BCPG further recommended that appropriate approvals be secured for a comprehensive structural integrity test on the existing structure and its elements by qualified personnel to ascertain its current status as well as give recommendations for proper and effective renovation works.
Other recommendations put forward by the body to forestall any disaster include carrying out of appropriate tests on all existing electrical, telecommunications and ICT cables to ascertain current status as well as give recommendations for proper and effective renovation works; an immediate comprehensive Environmental Impact Audit (EIA) on the building together with required Health, Safety and Environment Audits; and that following from above, comprehensive rehabilitation works be undertaken to restore the building and after, which ‘as-rebuilt’ drawings (Architectural and Structural) be prepared for documentation and appropriate records.
The BCPG state that “without prejudice to the important nature and wide public acceptance of activities carried out in the building, as well as the prerogative of maintaining the business as a going concern, it is of utmost importance to put in place the above to protect lives and properties. A stich in time saves all, they say. So, let us put safety first”.
