The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Builders NIOB, Bldr. Kunle Awobodu has called for the operationalization of the National Builders Code in order to put a stop to building failures which continue to occur in the country.
Awobodu made this known while addressing newsmen at a press conference organised to mark the maiden Builders’ Day in Abuja, tagged ‘Say No to Building Collapse’ with the day being marked across all states of the federation.
According to him, the 13th day of March every year would be celebrated as Builders’ day in remembrance of the five-storey building that collapsed in Lagos in 2019, killing over 20 people, who were mostly school children.
He was represented by the Institute’s Third Vice President, Bimbo Kolade, who stated that the day was earmarked as the annual sober reflection on the thousands who have lost their lives or are maimed due to building failures and to also advocate the use of standard materials for building.
‘‘On the 13th of March, 2019 at No. 63, Massey Street, Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island, a five-storey building collapsed, injuring occupants and claiming the lives of over 20 persons, including pupils. This incident witnessed a climax of condemnation of the Nigerian Government across the world, over what was termed its tolerance on incompetence and compromise on due diligence in its housing sector, making building collapse an unending phenomenon.
Premature death of school children in a building that was constructed by quacks (developers), and had been showing visible signs of distress revealed a negligence that could not be excused by the government and as we commiserate with the bereaved families on the anniversary of the demise of their kids, Professional Builders in Nigeria under the auspices of the Nigerian Institute of Building have earmarked 13th March as the annual sober reflection on and reminder of the evil perpetrated by quacks in the Nigerian building construction industry.’’ he said.
While commenting on the importance of the operationalization of the Building code, Awobodu stated that builders in nations of the world are guided by their building codes which clearly outlines building standards and specifications, adding that Nigerian builders cannot be excused from this, especially as the occurrence of building collapse is on the increase in the country.
‘‘From Manufacturers of building materials to Building Artisans and Professionals, the culture of doing it right must be embraced. Any nation bereft of Building codes is vulnerable to inappropriate building construction. Stakeholders in the Nigerian Built Environment have, for long, been orchestrating the need for building construction in Nigeria to be guided by the National Building Code.
The Minister of Works and housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN is enjoined not to relent in his efforts at overcoming the stumbling blocks that have been delaying the use of the National Building Code in Nigeria. The Executive, Legislative and Judiciary arms of the Nigerian and state governments should endeavour, without further delay, to make the National Building Code operational at every locality of the federation.’’ he said.
He therefore, called on all Nigerians and built industry stakeholders to support the institute in the advocacy against quackery in building and use substandard building materials that orchestrate building failures and disasters in the Country.
