Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria: A Framework for Post-Development Management Control

Abstract

This study investigates post-development management approach of properties and how it could be improved to stem the tide of building collapse in Nigeria. Extant literatures were reviewed and primary data collected with the use of structured questionnaires administered on occupants of one hundred and fifty residential and seventy-five commercial properties across Lagos State, Nigeria. Data was analysed with basic descriptive tools such as frequency, percentage, Likert scale and weighted mean score. Findings reveal abuse of property management functions by property owners and non-professionals alike in the management of various properties. Findings also show a high level of dissatisfaction with the services provided mostly by the non-professionals and that integrity assessment is rarely carried out by the professionals and non-professionals alike. The study therefore recommends that post development property management services become an exclusive preserve of professional property managers. The study further recommends that properties must be subjected to mandatory integrity assessment and subsequently, recommended for similar exercise based on the report of routine management inspection. The proposed framework for carrying out the structural integrity assessment and appropriate recommendations for the outcome of routine inspection or integrity assessment is a key contribution of this study to existing literatures on building collapse in the country.

Keywords: Building collapse, Post-Development, Property Management, Framework, Structural Integrity