It is not uncommon to see artisans especially bricklayers, masons and carpenters parading themselves as architects, engineers or builders on construction sites across the country.

This trend is very disturbing as the consequence of such imposture is greatly evident in the way some of our buildings are been designed and built. At a time when building collapse has joined the league of serious national issues, it is not out of place to advocate for the relegation of quacks in the construction industry –the industry in Nigeria that is believed to hold the highest number of practicing quacks or pseudo-builders.


In the course of a research in July, 2014, I took a trip to the interiors of Oke-Ira town, a swampy residential area in Ogba, Lagos state and I need not put a spectacle on to see the clear difference between houses designed and built by professionals and those put up by quacks; nearly all the houses built by these pseudo-builders have very noticeable defects (either they have over settled or deflected largely) leaning backward or bending sideways by up to 10 degrees or more to the horizontal and vertical respectively and most of these buildings are less than 15 years old.

Occupiers of such buildings complain of excessive water ingress from the ground nearly all year round and several other sick building syndromes. In addition, some protest the unstable (shaky) nature of the buildings especially those with upper floors while others have been forced to either evacuate one part of the building or simply relocate to other places.

One wonders why having spent around 3 - 5 Million Naira to secure a plot of land in the area, landlords still opt to employ the services of some good-for-nothing quacks who parade themselves as engineers to carry out such important task.

Of peculiar interest was a site on Silifatu Abioye Street in the same area for which passer-bys have turn into a spectacle of some sort because even while construction was still ongoing, the one-storey building continued to settle heavily, leaning backward; perhaps qualifying as the ironic ‘leaning tower’.


On visiting the site, I inquired to know the contractor. A bricklayer (probably in his early 40s) introduced himself as the ‘Engineer’. By closer interrogation and observation, the bricklayer was already confused about the turn of events but continue to express false hope that the building will eventually become strong and stable as soon as it is occupied. I then spoke with the project owner who was also available at the time. I gathered that though he was not very pleased with the condition of his building, he was happy that the building did not collapse.


He later revealed that he plan to put it up for rent to recoup his investment. I could only imagine that the safety of the lives and properties of the innocent tenants is grossly immaterial in the eye of the landlord!

Upon further quizzing, he later admitted that although he was aware that the so-called ‘engineer’ was a common bricklayer, he engaged him in a bid to save cost and for his self-acclaimed high level of competence.


Now he is in a sorry state because by my candid professional assessment, the building will collapse in the near future if nothing is done to remedy the situation since the foundation was not properly constructed. It cannot safely sustain its own load for even half the average life span of a standard building which is pegged at 70 years not to talk of the load to be imposed on it when fully occupied.

This is one in a million regrettable outcomes that accompany the use of quacks for carrying out construction projects. It is often ‘penny wise, pounds foolish’. Just like a draughtsman is not an architect even though he can come up with drawings so also is a bricklayer or mason not a builder or an engineer even though they can lay blocks in bonds and produce concrete respectively.


Don’t be deceived into the cheap talk of these unscrupulous imposters who are always out to deceive people by saying ‘we are more experienced because we have worked with white engineers on several sites’, ‘those professionals only know theory but we have practical knowledge, we are cheaper and better’ and so on.

When the problem comes, they would be nowhere to be found and you would be left to bear it alone.

Always employ the services of professionals –although you may have to pay a little more but it is always worthwhile in the end. Do not join the band-wagon of unwise landlords whose buildings are waiting to make headline news in the media for the wrong reasons.


By Engr Osaz Enobakhare

Such is what we see in our industry today.
We the citizens are the culprit in this matter. Instead of giving jobs to a professional, we prefer quacks that would short change us. They would now remember professionals when there are problems

It is well.

Bldr Oluwafemi

Do we even know there's something called soil test before construction of a building,especially high rise buildings..

You need to assess the suitability of the soil for your construction project with vital data for informed decision making and planning. The quality of the soil on your site plays a key role in your construction projects.

But once a bricklayer tells you he's experienced,you are in,even it has to be a three storey building.....

Remember couple of years back,a two story building collapsed one beautiful Sunday morning,we all thought it was a bomb explosion,turns out to be a building under construction by a bricklayer turned engineer,sure the guy never passed his waec

Holluwatarhyor:

Patrick Enyum AKA patlex. It's a monday, I know you will surly kill people's career

I wonder how the OP skipped mentioning architects cos they're on this same table.

Architect will draw then also collect the contract to supervise the building.

What nonsense is that?

Then when they hook somewhere they'll start calling on of their engineer friends they have to start asking rubbish questions.

Do your job and leave the next professional to take over.

Please support our honourable Peter obi for the president's of federal Republic of Nigeria, we are tired of those thief's now,

Without tribalism and nepotism any sane Nigerian's know it's someone like Peter obi that can now rescue Nigeria from totalling sinking, but seriously some ethnics bigot's people will just still prefer to hav their own man at the affairs of the country either he is capable or not than to go for what could have been the best solution to all nigerian's current problems, Peter obi2023 is certain

Lol

Lol

Lol

I use to think that these quack engineers were the cause of the many building collapse, but I no know that I was wrong. Nigeria has so many trained engineering graduates walking around and speaking big grammar, but once your hire them, you will learn that they are worse than the untrained ones. I can’t tell you the number of times these poorly trained fools were given projects and they hire experienced non engineers who they will pay less to do the job.
Most buildings which collapsed had trained engineers, but whenever something wrong happen, they will claim they owner were stingy or the builders didn’t do as they were told. How come more buildings are collapsing nowadays? Go to Ibadan and other old cities and you will see buildings of over 100 years old still standing. Those who built it were not engineers, but workmen who learnt from the white man. Just like an average graduate today cannot compete with the average diploma holder of the 1960s, the average engineers of today cannot compete with the technicians of 1960s. Na only grammar them sabi.

Nigerians like titles.

Brabus
Nexthome

That one is when an armed robber parades himself as an Engineer.

lol

Dunno why I find this funny

y

Wrong interpretation of Less is More

Some brick layers with experience are far better than some Engr.

My brother’s first house was built by so called Engr even me wey study accounting no fit build that outhouse! The house was later brought down after few years before it was given to a better hand

...........while construction was still ongoing, the one-storey building continued to settle heavily, leaning backward; perhaps qualifying as the ironic ‘leaning tower’.
...........the bricklayer was already confused about the turn of events but continue to express false hope that the building will eventually become strong and stable as soon as it is occupied

Like seriously?!
As Saturday go be, na since Friday we go don know.
No be so ?!

FemiLAWAL1O:
Na so

Correct!

Na so

Lol

Mn

Reading...

N

Lol
Over here in Abuja, everyone is an Engineer, once opportunity presents itself.

nairaland.com

That is why you have to verify before giving contracts

Welcome to Nigeria where anything and everything goes.even some well known Fuji muscians who didn't even finish secondary school talkless of having a university degree Will be giving themselves titles like barrister, dr etc

Lol