To mitigate structural failures, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has enjoined Nigerians to protect their investments by engaging only registered builders in housing projects.
The council debunks the report that the engineer alleged to be responsible for the collapse of the four storey collapsed building in Uyo is a registered builder. The Registrar and Secretary to council, Adetunji Adeniran, reiterated that no professional builders have been involved in managing the production process of any collapsed building in the country.
“Ordinarily, our council would have, typically, ruled the unfortunate incident as one of those recurring acts of negligence by unethical stakeholders who most times compromise ethics and professionalism. But we found it compelling to respond to the report based on the grievous allegation or claim by the so-called engineer who handled the project as a builder.
“Building is a profession, which is regulated by CORBON, established by an Act of the National Assembly, CAP B13 LFN 2002 (formerly Decree 45 of 1989). CORBON has the powers to define who a builder is, regulate the practice of building profession in all aspects and ramifications, as well as maintain a register of all those who are licensed to practice as builders in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Adeniran explained that following a thorough review of the register of builders, established pursuant to Sections 8 (1), (2) and 9 (1), (2) of the Builders Registration Act CAP 8.13 LFN 2004, the name Felix Anietie Udo is not contained in the register of builders, licensed to practice in Nigeria as of September 5, 2023.
“Council offers its support and willingness to testify and support the prosecution of the suspect in every way possible. Any person, not being a registered builder who- for, or in expectation of reward, practices or holds himself out to practice as such; or without reasonable excuse, takes or uses any name, title, addition, or description implying that he is authorized by law to practice as a registered builder, commits an offence punishable under this Act,” he said.
He said in line with its commitment to work with government agencies in the effort to eradicate quackery in practice, the council strongly requests and urged that the said Felix Aniebie Udo be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Builders Registration Act.
