The Nigerian Institute of Architects , Kaduna State Chapter has constituted a Committee with members drawn from the Institute, Private Practice, Academia and government to ascertain the causes of the Zazzau Palace Mosque Collapse.
The mosque which is a historical monument and constructed around 1820 during the reign of Emir Ja’afaru, collapsed on 11th August 2023, killing 10 worshippers while several others hospitalized.
The Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Kaduna State Chapter, Arc. Samuel Obaje disclosed this at a news briefing Wednesday in Kaduna after a preliminary inspection of the collapsed portion of the mosque in Zaria.
Arc. Obaje said the preliminary inspection carried out by a team of Architects indicates that the building had undergone wear and tear normally associated with buildings with some of the palm stalk roof elements being weak and could not carry the self-dead weight of the structure.
Also, the recent renovation and expansion of the mosque, he said, added some destabilization factors to the structure, while the old structure failed to resist the pressure which resulted the collapse.
Another factor, he observed, was that there could be leakage from the new roof which allowed water to sip into the mud roof structure..
For Safety purpose, the Chairman said, the Institute has among others, recommended that the mosque should be completely sealed off from the public, while New extension could be demarcated and open for normal worshipping activities.
That the report of the committee set up by the Institute should serve as the way forward towards approaching the restoration of the entire mosque structure for the continuation of normal use.
“Competent firms or individuals in conjunction with the palace builder
(Descendants of BABBAN GWANI) should be consulted to come up with suggestions of a new design for the affected area and other identified areas that have shown signs of weakness.
“We also implore Governments to prioritise the conservation of all ancient monuments through regular inspections and rehabilitations with a view to
making them maintain their allure for the viewing pleasure of the public and for research purposes.
“Finally,the public should be sensitised on the need to integrate these monuments into modern development rather than demolishing them for new non-lasting buildings in order to bequite them to future generations”.
The Institute which had already paid a condolence visit to the Emir also used the briefing to condole the Emirate Council and the people of the Emirate as well as the Governor and the entire people of the State over the tragic incidence.