Collapsed Buildings: Whose Fault – Clients, Engineers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Town Planners or Contractors?

Abstract

Buildings collapses in the Nigerian major urban cites continues to engender an excessive number of fatalities, injuries and property damage. This study investigates whose fault, the clients, engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, town planner or contractors in the cause of incessant collapse of building in Lagos State. Two research approaches were employed - quantitative and interview protocol. The findings revealed that greed and engagement of quacks by building clients, lack of commitment by top management of contracting firms, bribery and corruption among town planning officers ranked highest. Thus, achieving sustainable environment, liveable, viable, quality buildings, and better performance deserves collective responsibilities of key participants in building construction delivery chain, particularly during the early planning and design stage. The study therefore, recommends that the key stakeholders should have a rethink and attitudinal change towards their roles and responsibilities in all matters concerning building construction process and save the country from wanton destruction of precious life and property resulting from incessant buildings collapses in our major urban cities.