Experts in the building and construction industry on Thursday, June 14, 2018 in Lagos lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in reviewing the National Building Code (NBC) of 2006.
They said in Lagos that the review was a good development, describing it as a right direction and synergy for effective housing delivery in the country.
The Federal Government had on Tuesday announced a new National Building Code that would regulate construction with the aim of improving on measures to safeguard lives and property.
Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, made the announcement at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, while inaugurating members of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
“Given the number of deaths and the risk associated with wrong plans for buildings and other construction projects, it becomes imperative for government to adopt deliberate measures to check the avoidable loss of lives and property, hence the new code,’’ Fashola said.
The experts said the NBC, as instituted by professional bodies in the construction industry in 2006, was supposed to be reviewed at five years intervals.
According to them, this is the first time it is being reviewed.
Contributing, Mr Chucks Omeife said that the Federal Government should propose an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for an enabling law/legislation that would enforce the various provisions of the NBC.
Omeife, the President, Chartered Project Management Institute of Nigeria (CPMIN), said that passage of the bill would guarantee orderly and effective building environment.
“In the real sense, it will expand the scope of the code in terms of professionals responsibilities, expanding industry issues relating to materials, science and technology.
“The implementation and enforcement of the Code has been the problem and still remains the problem. It is a scenario of a motion without movement.
“This government can make the difference by putting in place an enabling legislation to back up the Code,” Omeife said.
Also, Mr Kenneth Ndukwu, the President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), urged stakeholders in the industry to have positive attitude for the expectations of the building code to be realised.
Ndukwu said that stakeholders should continue to ensure full implementation of the code for a well-regulated and effective operation in the building and construction industry.
“The review and announcement of the new building code is a good development, but stakeholders still expect more.
“The issue of quackery, non-involvement of professionals, poor workmanship, use of untested/substandard materials and neglect of safety standards on construction sites that lead to building collapse will be checked,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Fitzgerald Umah, the Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos chapter, said that the code would promote professionalism in the building industry.
Umah noted that activities and operations of the industry were not properly regulated due to lack of laid down rules.
He said that the enforcement of the building code remained the sure way to penalise any erring professional.
By Okuanwan Offiong and Lilian Chukwu
