Towards A Coherent Implementation Of Safe Building Laws And Regulations In Cameroon: Law, Governance And Institutional Imperatives

Abstract

Over the last decade, a sustained pattern of building collapse and fire outbreaks
has been observed in various West African countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria
and Ghana. This has become a matter of serious concern among building
practitioners and the public authorities in these countries given the extensive
loss of housing investment and human lives. The main reasons for the increased
collapse of buildings include poor inspection and monitoring, structural
defects, defective design/structure, illegal conversion and alterations and,
most importantly, non-adherence to existing building regulations and laws.
This article examines the scope of implementation and enforcement of safe
building legislation and regulations in Cameroon. It identifies the existing
national building regulations and the factors that limit their implementation.
The article uses various data collected through questionnaires and interviews
to support the finding that although there are extensive norms and regulations
dealing with planning matters, there is a lack of technical building regulations
and control in the country and that the existing regulations are not effectively implemented. Generic suggestions are made for a coherent implementation
of current laws and regulation for safety in the construction industry.