The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Anambra State Chapter, has announced its plans to adopt a whistleblower strategy to curb incessant building collapses and eliminate quack developers in Anambra’s building industry.
The revelation was made by the Chairman of the Anambra State Committee on COREN, Engr. Sir Victor Meju, as part of the Council’s efforts to address challenges posed by unqualified developers, who are the major cause of frequent building collapses recorded in the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, Engr. Meju announced that COREN is set to launch a new roadmap in Anambra, enabling the Southeast Regional Committee to carry out collective monitoring and regulation of all engineering activities within and outside Anambra using a newly adopted template.
According to him, with the right team of professionals—including architects, engineers, experienced builders, and other experts—the menace of frequent building collapses in recent months could have been prevented, especially given the number of professional bodies and regulatory agencies present in the state, particularly in the capital city.
Engr. Meju emphasized that the Council has decided to adopt the whistleblower policy and will engage the public to report fraudulent developers in their localities. This, he said, would help combat the menace of quackery that ultimately leads to building collapses and other severe engineering failures.
He lamented the decline in professional standards, which, according to him, has led developers to hire incompetent individuals who compromise safety and quality in construction projects.
“Conducting fundamental tests—including sand tests, soil tests, material tests, and even water tests—to certify the quality of materials used in a project is critical to preventing accidents during construction,” he stated.
“COREN has visited all relevant industries in Anambra and has already called for collaboration with the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), the Anambra State Material Testing Agency, and other building control agencies to ensure that only professionals handle major building projects across the state,” Meju added.
He highlighted major challenges affecting the Council’s effectiveness, including insufficient manpower and mobilization to conduct field inspections for proper monitoring of buildings, roads, electricity, and the mining industry. He stressed the need for continuous sensitization campaigns to educate the public on the right approach to safe and well-planned construction projects.
“We must act fast if we are to completely stop quack developers from causing more harm to the lives and properties of Ndi Anambra, especially during the rainy season,” he warned.
The Anambra State COREN Chairman further urged the Anambra State Government to adopt a more proactive approach in curbing this menace. He specifically called for the proper implementation of recommendations from panel reports on past building collapses to address the infiltration of quacks in the system.
