The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has reacted sharply to the recent building collapse in Durumi, Abuja, which reportedly claimed at least five lives, describing it as a preventable disaster that exposes what it calls a long-running collapse of regulatory discipline and accountability in the capital city’s construction sector.
In a strongly worded statement by its national coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group said the incident is not an isolated mishap but part of a recurring pattern of structural failures that have plagued Abuja for years, despite repeated investigations, official assurances, and professional warnings.
HURIWA argued that the tragedy reflects a deeper governance failure within the Federal Capital Territory’s urban development system, where enforcement of building regulations has allegedly been weakened by corruption, poor oversight, and political interference in land and construction approvals.
According to the organisation, the Durumi collapse highlights a “systemic breakdown” involving compromised engineering practices, weak regulatory supervision, and a profit-driven construction culture that places cost-cutting above human safety.
It noted that experts in engineering and urban planning have consistently identified the same recurring causes of building failures, including substandard materials, weak concrete mixtures, structural overloads, poor soil testing, illegal modifications, and disregard for approved building specifications.
Despite these well-documented warnings from professional bodies, HURIWA lamented that enforcement agencies in the FCT have failed to implement meaningful reforms or ensure accountability for developers and officials involved in unsafe construction practices.
The group further alleged that successive administrations have allowed regulatory institutions to deteriorate, creating a system where building approvals are sometimes influenced by personal connections, financial inducements, and political patronage rather than technical compliance and safety standards.
HURIWA recalled that similar building collapses have occurred in different parts of Abuja over the years, including Jabi, Gwarinpa, Kubwa, Lokogoma, Lifecamp, and Guzape, stressing that despite multiple probes, there has been little evidence of sustained reform or high-profile prosecutions.
It warned that the repeated pattern of “collapse, investigation, and silence” has normalised impunity and emboldened developers who cut corners at the expense of public safety.
The organisation also criticised what it described as the erosion of Abuja’s original master plan, arguing that the Federal Capital Territory—once envisioned as a model, well-regulated city—is now increasingly characterised by uncontrolled expansion and weak planning enforcement.
HURIWA stated that the growing commercialisation of land administration has further worsened the situation, allowing politically connected interests and private developers to override planning rules and safety standards.
The group urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to go beyond condolence visits and emergency responses, and instead pursue long-term institutional reforms capable of preventing future tragedies.
While acknowledging government efforts in rescue operations and victim support, HURIWA insisted that prevention must take priority over post-disaster intervention, stressing that avoidable deaths should no longer be tolerated in the capital city.
It called for the establishment of an independent judicial panel to investigate all building collapses in Abuja since 2015, alongside prosecution of developers, contractors, engineers, and regulatory officials found guilty of negligence or corruption.
The group also demanded immediate structural integrity audits of ongoing construction projects across the FCT, as well as full digitalisation of building approval processes to improve transparency and reduce human interference.
In addition, it urged stronger coordination among professional and regulatory bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), alongside stricter penalties for officials who approve unsafe structures.
HURIWA warned that without urgent reforms, Abuja risks continued loss of lives and growing erosion of public confidence in urban governance.
It concluded that every collapsed building represents not just a structural failure, but a failure of governance and accountability, insisting that the Durumi tragedy must become a turning point rather than another forgotten incident.