Reps probe importation, manufacturing of substandard iron steel

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to investigate the importation and manufacture of substandard iron roads being used in the country leading to building collapse.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Babajide Obanikoro who expressed concern that cases of building collapse in Nigeria were alarming.

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“One of the main reasons for building collapse in Nigeria is the use of substandard building materials such as steel,” he said.

Citing a report of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, he said over N500bn had been lost to building collapse and that about 175 buildings collapsed in Nigeria between 1971 and 2016.

He said 1,455 lives were being lost; while the Federal Government was losing over N1bn weekly to smuggling of substandard steel products into Nigeria.