The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for the implementation of environmentally friendly construction practices, which utilises eco-friendly materials, and adhere to energy-efficient building standards for safety and sustainability.
It also urged authorities at the Federal and state levels, as well as the citizens to engage certified professionals to reduce building collapse in the country.
The Chairman, NIOB Lagos Chapter, Mr Adeoye Thomas, who made the call at the 2024 builders’ week organised by the chapter in Surulere, Lagos, said the tragedy at 63, Massey Street, five years ago, where over 20 lives were lost, stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence, substandard materials, and the use of quacks in construction.
Speaking on the theme: “The Role of Builders in Sustainable Housing Delivery”, he explained that builders are responsible for executing construction projects using sustainable practices that minimise waste generation, reduce energy consumption, and optimise resource utilisation, adding that they are trained to incorporate renewable energy systems such as solar panels, and geothermal heating and cooling systems into the design and construction of sustainable homes.
This, he said, will help to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, lower carbon emissions, and enhance energy efficiency.
“Builders play a critical role in selecting and using eco-friendly building materials that have minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. This includes materials with recycled content, sustainably sourced wood products, low-emission paints and finishes, and insulation materials with high-energy efficiency,” he said.
Reports show that in the last 50 years, Nigeria recorded about 598 and 341 building collapses in Lagos. Despite all the efforts in the year 2022, there were still a total of 62 collapses of buildings, either partially or fully. In addition, 2023 recorded 12 collapses. “Building collapse did not start today and may not end soon if nothing is done as quickly as possible,” he warned.
Thomas said the event is a call to compel stakeholders to embrace specialisation, uphold standards, champion quality through use of high-quality materials.
By fulfilling these roles, he noted that builders could contribute significantly to reduce building collapse fatalities, enhance housing affordability, and build a resilient nation.
He further charged builders to always always bear in mind the social, economic, and environmental implications of their work. Thomas also advised the government to implement policies that encourage local production of building materials, give tax breaks and subsidies for manufacturers to reduce reliance on imports, and promote local content by encouraging the use of locally sourced materials in construction projects through public procurement policies and awareness campaigns.
He lamented the high cost of imported materials, saying, there was need for innovations to manage costs by adopting more sustainable construction practices that utilise local resources and minimise waste.
On his part, Chairman, Builders’ Week Organising Committee, Abiodun Ogundare, said processes and materials must be sustainable to guarantee quality housing production in the country. He urged the public to employ the services of professional builders to avoid substandard housing.
The Vice Chairman of the chapter, Ayoola Owolabi, said builders have not been backed by law to play their roles in the sector. “The role of builders should be well known and embraced in the housing industry. The role of builders is to compile all designs by professionals and make building possible,” he said.
Owolabi said the government must sanitise the industry and enforce existing laws for sustainable housing delivery. He also said the government should make housing cheaper to reduce homelessness in the country.
