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The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called on government to impose strict punitive measures on individuals involved in any collapsed building.
Prof. Yohana Izam, the President of NIOB, made the call at the 52nd Builders Annual Conference on Tuesday in Akure, Ondo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the conference is: “The Role of the Building Profession in the Management of National Assets”.
Izam, who emphasised that there should be controlled regulations for building, said that building collapses were mainly caused by quacks in the building industry.
He called on regulatory bodies such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure quality jobs by proper and constant inspection of building materials in the market.
According to him, artisans are involved in the conference to ensure that all parties in building are being engaged for quality and strong buildings in the country.
The president, who appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for signing Executive Order 11, said that the initiative, if implemented would not only preserve the integrity of the country’s built environment but to also provide jobs opportunities.
“We had been talking about maintenance and we are glad that the president has recently signed executive order in line with maintenance.
“This order mandates federal, states, ministries and MDAs to set up maintenance units.
“Now, maintenance will not be just to spend something that remains but there is a provision for it. You must have a plan for it,” he said.
Izam said that the conference would enable builders to discuss some issues to help implement the executive order, saying that builders were in the best positions to maintain buildings.
He lauded the state governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for giving builders enabling environment to operate in the state.
Also speaking at the occasion, Akeredolu, who described the association as indispensable in nation building, reiterated his administration’s commitment to good maintenance culture.
He, therefore, called on NIOB to brace up in its noble task of saving Nigerian populace from building collapse.
Dr Oluleye Akanni, the state Chairman of NIOB, noted that the Executive Order 11 would open doors to a treasure of opportunities for young technicians, artisans, building materials industry and others.
Akanni explained that the conference would allow participants to revisit and rethink the roles of the building profession in the maintenance the country’s national assets.
He said that the conference would allow participants to exchange ideas, establish research relations and learn about current development in the building profession.
Dr Samson Opaluwah, the Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) expressed the need to professionalise the practice of building in Nigeria.
Opaluwah said that builders and aspiring builders as well as students in the field and the entire workers in the ecosystem of a building construction and management site should be trained constantly.
Highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of Honourary Fellowship award on Akeredolu. (NAN)
