Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) says it has pencilled down 2,000 illegal structures for demolition in crossrail in (0989oi8iii8i8i8iiu, following the collapse of a three-storey building in Jos, killing 14 people.
The Acting General Manager of the board, Mr Kefas Yilwang, said this at a news briefing at the end of an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Jos on Friday.
Yilwang said that eight of the 2,000 structures in Jos metropolis had been marked for immediate demolition, in line with government’s directive in the wake of the recent building collapse.
He said: “There are 2,000 structures we have identified to be illegal, though not all of the illegal houses are substandard, but they did not get approval from legitimate authorities for construction.
“We are only awaiting legal backing to bring down the structures, while eight have been identified for immediate demolition.”
He called for the review of the state laws to give the agency necessary powers to demolish illegal structures in the state.
“The constitution of the Jos Master Plan gives JMDB powers to cover only six local governments and the state capital out of the 17 local governments of the state.
“We appeal to the state House of Assembly to review the 1974 law that gives the board powers to demolish any illegal structure in the state without harassment,” he said.
Yilwang, however, said that the major challenge facing the board was the lack of equipment and adequate professional manpower to effectively certify structures.
The stakeholders at the meeting, including architects, building engineers, quantity survivors and town planners, expressed disappointment over impersonation by quacks.
Mr Mike Yilpiang, the Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Plateau chapter, said that some developers were in the habit of patronising quacks for two reasons.
“Some are not aware of the existence of architects, while others go to quacks because they want cheap services and cut costs,” he said.
Mr Dodkyes Bankat, Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Plateau chapter, advised that such meetings be held on a regular basis.
Bankat said that doing so would help stakeholders to evolve solutions to the challenges facing the industry.
“Doing so would reduce cases of building collapse and save lives,” he said. (NAN)
