The Chief Executive Officer of KaySteph Group, Kolawole Emmanuel Omolaye, has called on the federal government for stricter regulatory enforcement and improved compliance with construction standards to curb the recurring cases of building collapse in Nigeria.

Omolaye made the call while addressing newsmen during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lily Crest Residence in Karasana on Thursday. 

He attributed most incidents of structural failure to the use of substandard materials, poor reinforcement and the tendency of some developers to cut corners in pursuit of profit.

According to him, many building collapse incidents could be prevented if developers strictly adhered to approved engineering and construction specifications.

“One of the major causes of building collapse in Nigeria is the use of wrong reinforcements and the decision by some developers to compromise standards in order to reduce costs. In our company, we do not cut corners because safety and quality remain our top priorities,” he said.

Omolaye stressed that developers must place the safety and interests of subscribers and homeowners above profit considerations.

“We cannot sell houses that we ourselves cannot live in. Once developers begin to put themselves in the shoes of their subscribers, they will be more committed to doing the right thing instead of compromising standards,” he added.

He also commended ongoing efforts by authorities in opening up developing districts such as Karasana within the Federal Capital Territory, noting that improved infrastructure would support urban growth and housing expansion.

Speaking on the Lily Crest Residence project, Omolaye disclosed that the estate comprises different categories of luxury housing designed to meet varying residential needs.

“Here we have four different types of buildings. We have the three-bedroom luxury apartment built on four floors with elevator facilities. We also have four-bedroom terraces with boys’ quarters, featuring three master bedrooms, one on the first floor and two on the second floor,” he explained.

According to him, the estate also features four-bedroom semi-detached duplexes and four-bedroom fully detached houses, alongside modern facilities including a children’s playground, clubhouse with swimming pool and a water treatment plant.

Earlier, Sam Oye, who commissioned the project, described the development as a practical example of vision being transformed into reality through commitment and execution.

“It is one thing to have a vision, but what truly sets people apart is the ability to translate that vision into reality. What I have seen here is remarkable because this project has moved beyond imagination into execution,” he said.

Rev Oye also described Karasana as a serene and strategically suitable environment for residential development, particularly for families and retirees seeking a peaceful lifestyle.

Drawing from his background in geology, he noted that the district’s topography and surrounding hills make it one of the most attractive emerging locations within the Federal Capital Territory.

“One of the things I admire about Karasana is its natural landscape, mountainous views and refreshing atmosphere. It is an ideal environment for raising children, retirement living and peaceful habitation,” he added.

On his part, Project Architect of KaySteph Group, Ifeanyi Uzoigwe, stressed that the company remains committed to maintaining high construction standards from design to execution.

“At KaySteph Group, we do not compromise on standards. From the design stage to project execution, we engage qualified professionals and ensure that only approved materials and specifications are used in construction,” he said.

Uzoigwe noted that most building collapse incidents are linked to compromise by either developers or clients, stressing the importance of thorough soil investigation before construction begins.

“In one of our projects in Jahi, we discovered water after excavation and had to change from the approved strip foundation to a raft foundation to guarantee structural stability, even though it increased the cost,” he explained.

He added that integrity and quality have remained the company’s guiding principles since its establishment in 2015.

“We use high-quality reinforcement materials and adapt our construction methods to suit site conditions because we want our clients to have confidence that our buildings will stand the test of time,” he stated.