Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) wants its members to play frontline roles in the panel to investigate the cause of the 21-storey building collapse in Ikoyi.

NICE chairman, Jang Tanko, made this known in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos on Friday.

Mr Tanko stated that the technical knowledge possessed by civil and structural engineers was needed to ensure thorough and fruitful inquiry.

He said that some investigations in the past had failed to yield the required results because experts in the areas were not given lead roles.

The chairman commended the Lagos government for its decision to set up a panel of inquiry into the cause of the collapse.

While describing the incident as unfortunate, he noted that relevant agencies had failed to enforce building control laws in the country.

According to him, quackery and compromise in quality and standard are high in the building sector, adding that those found culpable be made to face the law.

Mr Tanko said that if given the opportunity, the institution would liaise with other professional bodies in the building sector to ensure a thorough investigation.

(NAN)