The Iron Rod Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has sounded the alarm over the use of substandard materials in the construction of projects in Abuja, calling on the National Assembly to take immediate action to prevent further building collapses in the capital city.

Reacting to a building collapse at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Limited Estate located in Guzape, Abuja on Friday, where a yet-to-be-confirmed number of workers died, the Union's President, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, said the recent collapse of building in an Abuja estate has revealed shocking evidence of substandard construction practices, including the use of wires instead of standard gauge iron rods in the concrete works.

"This is a clear case of criminal negligence and a ticking time bomb waiting to happen," Awoyale said in an interview. "We cannot afford to wait until another building collapses and claims innocent lives. The National Assembly must act now to prevent further disasters."

Awoyale alleged that the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) has failed in its responsibility to enforce building standards, allowing contractors to get away with using substandard materials.

"The SON is the most corrupt organization in Nigeria, and they are encouraging manufacturers to produce and distribute substandard products," he said. "This must stop, and we demand that the government takes action to hold them accountable."

The Union is calling for the demolition of all remaining structures in the estate that have been built with substandard materials, as well as a thorough investigation into the construction practices of all buildings in Abuja.

"We need to send a strong message to contractors that substandard construction will not be tolerated in this city," Awoyale said. "We owe it to the people of Abuja to ensure that their lives and properties are safe."

The call comes amid growing concerns over the frequency of building collapses in Abuja, which has left many dead and injured in recent years.

The Iron Rod Distributors Union however commended the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for its recent crackdown on steel manufacturing companies suspected of producing substandard products across Nigeria.

The Union praised the FCCPC's diligence in addressing the issue, particularly in light of the alleged inactivity of SON.

Following a court order secured by the FCCPC from an Abuja High Court, the commission launched a sting operation on several steel manufacturing plants across the country. The court order, granted by Hon. Justice R. N. Ofili Ajumogobia in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/557/2024, authorised the FCCPC to conduct searches on Phoenix Steel Limited, African Foundries limited, African Steel Mills Limited, Monarch Steel Mills Limited, Sunflag Nigeria Limited, Top Steel Limited, Pulkit Steel Limited, Landcraft Industries Limited and Hongxing Steel Co. Limited, including any other steel company operating in the country. 

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that a yet-to-be-confirmed number of workers had been feared dead as a building at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Limited Estate located in Guzape, Abuja collapsed on Friday.

A source around the area told SaharaReporters that a rescue operation was going on but had been hindered by heavy rainfall.

The source said, “Building collapse at Nicholas Ukachukwu’s Praco Ltd Estate in Plot 458 Guzape, Abuja. Workers feared dead, Ongoing rainfall hinders rescue.”

Providing a background, the source recalled that “Plot 458 GUZAPE is one of the 111 plots in Abuja illegally acquired by Nicholas Ukachukwu, an Anambra businessman whose Company, Praco Limited, is accused of conniving with civil servants in the FCDA to allocate more than 100 plots of land running into thousands of hectares to his company in what is regarded as one of Abuja’s largest land heists or grab."

He added, “The lands were acquired without ministerial approval in July 2023, when there was no minister to have approved the land allocation.

“On assumption of office and following complaints from some of the original allottees of the land, the new Minster, Wike ordered the revocation of the illegally acquired plots.

“Construction work was stopped and demolition was carried out on one plot at the Sunrise area that Praco had entered and started construction.

“Nicholas Ukachukwu had at the time accused the minister of ordering the demolition because he is Igbo man, an assertion that was quickly debunked as blackmail by a man who has an odious reputation for sleazy land deals and racketeering in Abuja.

“Several of the people whose lands were revoked and awarded to Nicholas Ukachukwu are currently in court.

“Unfortunately, Ukachukwu continues to use his financial resources to frustrate the cases in court and bribe FCDA officials who have turned a blind an eye to his illegal construction on the plots revoked by the FCT Minister.

“Sources indicated that the FCT Minister is frustrated by the antics and connivance of civil servants in FCT in this scandal.”