Abstract
The age-less interaction between man and his built environment has always had positive and negative impacts on the two. Environmental disaster of varying origin from man-made to natural is one of the most negative effects of the built environment on man. An assessment of the magnitude of these disasters and an evaluation of the existing capacities to prevent, mitigate or prepare for them are necessary tools to provide future safe living for man in his built environment. Building collapse established to be caused by many factors is one of such disasters wielding its great impact of loss of lives and properties on man. This study explained the role of government in minimizing the collapse of buildings and assessed the scale of human casualties from reported cases of building collapse from reported cases of building collapse in Nigeria especially Edo State, which is the main focus here. The study indicated that the building failure and collapse stem principally from hasty construction, low quality workmanship, poor supervision, inexperience (use of incompetent hands), ignorance, evasion/non-compliance with building regulations and non-enforcement of building quality, standard and control on construction site/market. The study was carried out by relying on printed and web sources to gather the required data. Descriptive analysis of the data shows that the “monster” called building collapse killed more people in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Edo State which may not be unconnected with the high-rise buildings which are the common sights in these cities. The factors responsible for the high incidence of loss and their management inputs were assessed with a mathematical model. After an appraisal of the effectiveness of the emergency management outfits in Nigeria, the study concludes with necessary recommendations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents Pages
Title Page - - - - - - - - - - i
Certification - - - - - - - - - -ii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - -iii
Acknowledgements - - - - - - - - -iv
Table of Contents - - - - - - - - -v
List of Table - - - - - - - - - -vii
Abstract - - - - - - - - - -viii
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction - - - - - - -1
1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - - -1
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem - - - - - -2
1.3 Research Questions - - - - - - - -3
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study - - - - - -3
1.5 Justification of the Study - - - - - -4
1.6 Limitation of the Study - - - - - - -4
1.7 Scope of the Study - - - - - - -5
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review - - - - - -6
2.0 Introduction - - - - - - - -6
2.1 Building Failure - - - - - - - -6
2.2 Edo State as A Study Area - - - - - - -7
2.3 Major Causes of Building Collapse - - - - - -7
2.4 Effects of Building Collapse in Edo State - - - - -11
2.5 The Roles of Government and Professionals in Mitigating the Occurrence of Building Collapse in Edo State - - - - - - - - -15
CHAPTER THREE: Research Methodology - - - - -24
3.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -24
3.2 Research Design - - - - - - - -24
3.3 Research Population - - - - - - - -24
3.4 Sample Frame - - - - - - - - -25
3.5 Sample Size - - - - - - - - -25
3.6 Sampling Techniques - - - - - - - -27
3.7 Data Collection Instruments - - - - - - -27
3.8 Procedure for Data Collection - - - - - -27
3.9 Validity test - - - - - - - - -27
3.10 Method of Data Presentation and Analysis - - - - -28
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussion - - -29
CHAPTER FIVE: Conclusion and Recommendation - - - -37
5.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -37
5.1 Summary of Findings - - - - - - - -37
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - -37
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - -38
5.4 Areas for Further Study - - - - - - -39
REFERENCES - - - - - - - - -40
APPENDIX (CES) - - - - - - - - -43
QUESTIONNAIRE - - - - - - - - -43
