Builders plan awareness on professional engagement

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) plans to create awareness on the engagement of professionals in building construction at its yearly programme tagged Builders Day.

The 2021 Builders’ Day has as its theme, ‘Professional builders’ engagement in building production management’. The programme is expected to begin today with the induction of graduate students of building and inauguration of the Association of Building Artisans and Craftsmen of Nigeria (ABACON).

NIOB President, Kunle Awobodu, said professionalism in building construction remained the first step to reduce substandard building construction across the country.

According to Awobodu, the objective of the Builders’ Day is to create awareness on the need for stakeholders to adhere strictly to standards, codes of practice and building regulations.

He said: “Builders as the professionals saddled with the responsibility of managing building production on sites must be technically sound to ensure that architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical designs are integrated in various elements for unison and sustainable.”

Awobodu disclosed that the outcome of investigation into the Ita-Faaji building collapse and similar cases in Lagos had made the government to approve the use of registered builders in construction sites.

He said the programme echoes the need for other states of the federation to emulate the Lagos building regulations.

According to the NIOB president, prevention of structural failures and its attendant losses is less expensive and superior to emergency management of collapsed building sites.

The programme also kick-starts NIOB campaign against quackery in the 36 states and the FCT, adding that the institute would be active on building sites for community service.

He added that technical advice would also be given freely on radio and television stations for people who have challenges on their building sites or occupants of buildings with technical issues.