The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the national building Code bill to curtail frequent incidences of building collapse across the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the bill was recently returned from the National Assembly to the Ministry of Works and Housing for more inputs.
Mr Christopher Belonwu, General Secretary, NIOB made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the campaign has been on for some time now to enact the code so that there would be an end to the menace of building collapse.
“We are waiting for the government to pass this code so that the right professionals can handle the construction aspect of every project.
“When the real professionals take charge of the building sector they will ensure that the right things are done during the construction of any structure.
He said that housing deficit in the country has moved from 17 million to 20 million in 2020.
“So we’re looking at more policies on affordable housing for different categories of income earners in the country, even for non-income earners,” Belonwu
Speaking on the celebration of the country’s independence he said the institute was looking at buildings that had withstood the test of time.
“Specifically, under this 60th anniversary, we’re presently doing a building condition survey of pre-independence buildings.
“So we are trying to look at the buildings that are still stable, the ones that have withstood nature for the past 60 years, and we’re looking for the kinds of materials that were used.
“The methodology, the processses, we’re also looking at the skills and the workmen that did most of those works so that we’ll see how we can replicate that and get our construction industry working perfectly,“he said.
He urged Nigerians to keep hope alive and support government policies to make sure that all their plans come to pass.
” I know things are hard but Nigerians are strong, resolute people and steadily we will get there someday,” Belonwu said.
NAN reports that the National Building Code provides for the design, pre-design, post-design and construction stage among others.
Edited By: Joseph Edeh/Emmanuel Okara
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