Anambra engineers rally against quackery to prevent building collapses

Civil engineers in Anambra State are once again sounding the alarm over building collapses, blaming the problem largely on unqualified individuals handling construction work. The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) raised the concern during a public awareness rally in Awka, where members and supporters took part in a 15-kilometre walk to highlight the dangers of unsafe building practices.

Speaking at the event, NICE chairman in the state, Engr. Chidi Obiudu, said the campaign was about pushing for safer construction and strict adherence to professional standards. He stressed that most building collapses are preventable and often happen because basic engineering rules are ignored and quacks are allowed to take charge of projects.

The rally tagged “Walk Against Building and Infrastructure Collapse (2.0),” drew participants carrying placards calling on the public to patronise certified engineers and treat safe building as a basic right. Lawmakers also weighed in, with the chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Works, Hon. Emma Nwafor, praising the initiative. He said the state has already passed laws to curb quackery in construction and set up a task force to enforce them, adding that poor monitoring and weak regulation have made the situation worse.

Officials from the Anambra State Materials Testing Laboratory noted that proper testing of construction materials such as soil, concrete and steel is critical to preventing failures. Engineering students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who joined the rally, echoed the concerns, pointing to corruption, poor oversight and substandard materials as key reasons buildings keep collapsing. Overall, the message from the rally was clear: use qualified professionals, and put safety ahead of profit.