The Rivers State Government has pledged to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to check quackery and reduce incidents of building collapse in the state.

According to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, the partnership seeks to promote professionalism and adherence to building standards.

Bipi, who spoke during a visit by the institute, described the recent spate of building collapses as worrisome, attributing the causes to the use of substandard building materials and failure by site engineers to adhere to standards and regulations in the industry.

“The ministry’s findings have revealed that property owners are complicit in the recent building collapses in the state, prioritising cost-cutting over safety and quality standards,” Bipi said. “Some property owners hire unqualified site engineers and foist substandard building materials on them to cut corners.”

The commissioner acknowledged the crucial role the institute plays in reducing incidents of building collapse and ensuring that only qualified professionals practice in the industry.

He further emphasised the institute’s contribution through advocacy and public enlightenment on the dangers of building collapse and adherence to safety standards in building sites.

In his remarks, NIOB Chairman, Rivers State Chapter, Abah Adejoh, urged the state government to make construction methodology, project quality management plan, and project health and safety mandatory requirements for property developers seeking building plan approval.

Adejoh advised property developers to insist on hiring qualified site engineers or licensed builders, rather than quack engineers, to prevent compromising the structural integrity of their buildings and putting lives at risk.

“Prioritising cost-cutting over safety and quality standards is an unwise decision that can lead to far greater losses,” he warned.

The Commissioner assured that the ministry is poised to partner with more professional bodies in the industry to curb the menace of building collapse in the state.

He also informed the builders that the government has reconstituted the compliance committee of the ministry to effectively monitor building sites and enforce compliance with the building laws and regulations.