Operatives in the built-up environment have reiterated the need to domesticate the national building code to curb incessant collapse of buildings and other challenges confronting the industry.
They observed that badly built houses were as a result of non-adherence to the existing building codes, adding that such buildings are death traps to the people.
The Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos branch, Mr. David Majekodunmi led the charge at a virtual quarterly technical summit organised by Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Ikoyi-Obalende Cell, Lagos.
Majekodunmi, who spoke on ‘Demystifying the National Building Code’ stressed that demystifying the codes imply domesticating them and ensuring the enforcement so that future tragedy would be averted. He further explained that codes established that professionals who are designing and building for others are accountable for the quality of their work.
He said: “National building code is a set of rules and regulations pertaining to construction of buildings, which is designed to protect people and property from fire, earthquakes, windstorms and other extreme events. Buildings built with inadequate and substandard materials will collapse and inevitably result in loss of life and properties.
“The code has four major parts, which are administration, technical, enforcement, schedules and references. There are also four major stages in the building code, which are pre-design, design stage, construction stage and post construction stage whose rules must be adhered to.”
He advised professionals to work together to improve the housing sector.
The immediate past president of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Kunle Awobodu, condemned actions of some developers, who patronise quacks for housing development.
Awobodu, who is also one of the founders of BCPG, noted that such developers think that the services of professionals are expensive, whereas they cause more evil than good by avoiding them and patronising quacks.
Also speaking, Mr. Bola Arilesere, an architect, described the summit as apt, after the collapse of 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos.
THE GUARDIAN
