We need professionalism in built industry, says minister

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has urged builders to exhibit a sense of professionalism in discharging their responsibilities in the built industry.

Fashola, who inaugurated the executive members of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) in Abuja, stated that true professionals would not allow structural failure, urging them to correct their mistakes in the sector.

He said being an expert, one must be a performer that would deliver on promises and commitments, adding that builders are to be morally and ethically sound in doing the right thing always no matter the situation.

On the composition of council, the minister explained that the members are drawn from professional bodies across all zones of the country, saying, they are certified builders, professionals and engineers.

He declared: “They are the traits we need in the nation’s journey on nation-building, which may require many things, and one must be an expert in a field and not just title, to be a professional. There should be no distraction from anywhere.”

The 11- member council are: Chairman, Samson Opaluwah, Prof. Shehu Bustani, Jonathan Chinasa, Dr. Taliat O. Yusuf and Head of Building of the Ministry as representative.

Others are President, Nigerian Institute of Building, President of Structural Engineers, Builder Abdullhamid Isa Yuwari, Builder Christian Chiinedu, builder Alhassan Marke, and Builder Kingsley Oghoro.

Responding, the Chairman, Opaluwah promised to focus on incessant cases of building collapse, especially in the urban areas, stressing that the council will address the ugly incident as matter of national priority.

He argued that they would partner other professionals in the built environment to ensure a coordinated response to this malady, adding, the council will plan monitoring of building projects sites to ensure compliance with standards.

“The need to upskill and reskill builders, technologists, technicians, and artisans in the built industry on the emerging technologies to take advantage of the business opportunities in the economic inherent in our population,” Opaluwah remarked.