Substandard building materials: Reps to investigate SON

The House of Representatives is to investigate allegation about the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)’s reversal of its decision to shut down 18 companies found wanting in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rod manufacturers.

In a motion urgent public importance by Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo), the House ask the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to stamp out fake products/building materials and ensure they leave up to their functions by ensuring that the quality of building materials in the market are of required standard.

Osawaru had expressed concern about the incessant occurrence of building collapse in Nigeria which he said has been attributed to the use of substandard materials, poor construction practices, and inadequate enforcement of building codes by authorities;

He said that available data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State accounting for about 56% of them through 13 incidents, followed by Abuja with 4.37%, having recorded six collapse incidents.

According to him, the Standard Organization of Nigeria is saddled with the responsibilities to, among others, undertake investigations as necessary into the quality of facilities, materials and products in Nigeria, and establish a quality assurance system including certification of factories, products and laboratories.

He stressed that the constant issue of substandard materials has sent numerous lives to their early grave and it is very regrettable to state that, at least three buildings have collapsed in different states within January 2025, leading to several deaths and casualties, which is a clear indication that the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has not done enough to prevent further occurrences

He said that “study has reveal that poor quality of materials and cheap-labour contributed about 53% of building collapse in Nigeria with most of them being private residential buildings executed by Indigenous companies and locals.

“Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) allegedly reversed its decision to shut down 18 companies implicated in the production and distribution of substandard building materials, particularly iron rod manufacturers.

“The reversal, reportedly influenced by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has sparked criticism from different quarters, raising concern over government’s commitment to enforcing quality standards in the construction industry.

“The alleged defaulted companies responsible for production of substandard building materials especially irons hides under the weak enforcement mechanisms in Nigeria to flood the Nigerian market with inferior products while exporting products of high quality to countries where substandard materials are not tolerated”.