UNION DEMANDS SON'S DISSOLUTION, RESTRUCTURING OVER RISING BUILDING COLLAPSES. (PHOTO).

 Union Demands SON’s Dissolution, Restructuring Over Rising Building Collapses

The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has urged the Federal Government to dissolve and restructure the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as a long-term solution to the frequent building collapses across the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, National President of the Union, criticized SON’s decision to reverse the shutdown of 18 companies linked to the production of substandard building materials, particularly iron rods. He blamed alleged government interference for the decision, raising concerns about weak enforcement of quality standards in the construction sector.

Awoyale condemned the widespread use of inferior materials, which he said has led to multiple avoidable building collapses, including at least three incidents in January 2025 alone. Describing the situation as a national embarrassment, he urged the government to take bold steps to hold regulatory bodies accountable.

“The government must act decisively to prevent further loss of lives and property. Dissolving SON and restructuring its framework is the only way to ensure accountability and enforce standards,” he stated.

He also pointed out that despite SON’s legal mandate to prosecute manufacturers of substandard materials, enforcement has been hampered by corruption and collusion within the system.

“The law stipulates prosecution, yet corrupt officials allow violators to escape consequences, fueling this dangerous cycle,” Awoyale added.

The union had made a similar appeal in 2024, but no concrete action was taken, allowing unscrupulous manufacturers to continue flooding the market with inferior materials while exporting high-quality products to countries with stricter regulations.

Citing data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, he revealed that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State alone accounting for 56% of cases.

The House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development also raised alarms over rampant quality violations, exposing cases where iron rods were deliberately undersized, such as 7.56 mm rods being sold as 10 mm and 9.25 mm rods as 12 mm.

Calling for urgent reforms, Awoyale stressed that dissolving SON and replacing it with a stronger regulatory agency was not just a necessity but a moral obligation.

“The time for empty promises is over. The government must prioritize public safety over the interests of a few unscrupulous businesses,” he concluded.