CurrentReport Blog The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman, has called on the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to take a more active role in sensitizing the public and enforcing strict regulations to curb the menace of unregistered builders.
His remarks came during a recent visit by NIOB officials to the KWGIS office, emphasizing the importance of adhering to global best practices in the building sector.
Sulyman acknowledged the significant role that advocacy plays in the success of professional organizations like NIOB. He stressed the need for the institute to increase its efforts in educating stakeholders and the general public about the dangers of employing unregistered builders, highlighting that this practice often leads to poor-quality construction and, in some cases, building collapses.
KWGIS and NIOB Partnership for Sustainable Building Practices
In his address, Sulyman emphasized KWGIS’s readiness to collaborate with NIOB’s Kwara State Chapter to promote the implementation of internationally recognized building standards. He underscored that KWGIS, as a regulatory agency, remains committed to supporting initiatives that align with global best practices. “We are open to any requests or interests you have. Please feel free to forward them to my office for further action and onward transmission to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his consideration and approval,” Sulyman noted, offering the agency’s full cooperation.
NIOB is regarded as Nigeria’s sole professional body for builders, with recognition from the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON). As a regulatory authority, CORBON plays an essential role in setting standards and ensuring that professionals in the building sector adhere to the necessary qualifications. Sulyman’s call for greater advocacy and regulation stems from concerns over the increasing number of substandard buildings, which have been linked to unregistered and unqualified builders.
NIOB’s Efforts to Domesticate the New Nigeria Building Code
During the visit, Builder Folaranmi Kazeem Adekunle, Chairman of NIOB, Kwara State Chapter, highlighted the passage of the new Nigeria Building Code (NBC) by the National Assembly. Adekunle urged KWGIS to facilitate the domestication of this important law at the state level, pointing out that the NBC is crucial for establishing uniform standards in building construction across the country. The code aims to reduce the occurrence of building failures and improve the safety of structures throughout Nigeria.
“We are hopeful that Kwara State will follow suit and adopt the new Building Code,” Adekunle said, emphasizing that localizing the code would ensure that the state’s construction practices align with national standards. The NIOB Chairman also appealed to the KWGIS leadership to work towards the passage of the law in the Kwara State House of Assembly, which would provide a legal framework for implementing the code at the state level.
National Builders Day: Promoting Craftsmanship and Safety
One of the highlights of the NIOB’s visit was the announcement of the upcoming National Builders Day, which will be observed on March 13th each year. Adekunle explained that the National Builders Day is an important occasion to celebrate the role of professional builders in ensuring quality construction and to raise awareness about the need for high standards in the building industry.
As part of the National Builders Day activities, several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been selected for courtesy and advocacy visits. These visits are aimed at sensitizing relevant stakeholders on the importance of quality building practices and the role of builders in maintaining safety and craftsmanship in construction.
“We believe that builders are crucial to ensuring that Nigeria’s buildings are safe and durable,” Adekunle said, noting that the institute’s advocacy efforts have led to the implementation of various programs at both the national and state levels to improve craftsmanship and prevent building failures.
Addressing the Lack of Professional Builders in Government Projects
Adekunle also raised a concern regarding the absence of professional builders in government construction projects. He pointed out that engineers are often the primary professionals involved in overseeing such projects, with minimal input from certified builders. This practice, Adekunle argued, contributes to poor construction quality and is one of the reasons behind the increasing incidents of building collapses.
“We urge the KWGIS to address this issue by ensuring that professional builders are incorporated into government construction projects. This will help enhance the quality of buildings and reduce the risk of failures,” Adekunle said, stressing the importance of collaboration between various professionals in the building sector to achieve quality construction outcomes.
Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Building Sector
The partnership between KWGIS and NIOB represents a significant step toward ensuring that the Kwara State building sector adheres to higher standards. By collaborating on initiatives to enforce regulations and educate the public about the importance of engaging registered builders, both organizations aim to tackle the growing problem of building collapses and ensure safer, more durable structures in the state.
As NIOB continues to advocate for better building practices and the domestication of the new Nigeria Building Code, it remains committed to fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism within the building sector. The support of agencies like KWGIS is crucial in achieving these goals and ensuring that Nigeria’s construction industry continues to evolve in line with global best practices.
