Builders Day: Only Certified Builders Can End Incidences of Building Collapse in Nigeria, Says Chairman Ojeka

By Judex OKORO

The Cross River State chapter chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) Bldr. Dr Peter Ojeka has stated that Nigeria's answer to incidences of building collapse lies with certified and professional builders. 

Dr. Ojeka who stated this during a media engagement as part of activities to mark the 2026 Builders Day which is themed: "Advocacy and policy influence towards sustainable reforms for a resilient built environment", said: "No single professional builder has been found wanting in any case of building collapse in Nigeria and a certified builder is key in managing the building process to eliminate the incidence of collapse.

"Building is a process with many stakeholders involved in various designs but the building production management is strictly for the builder.

"We must engage professionals in housing developments to reduce building collapses and promote stainable urban growth."

Dr. Ojeka added that as part of this year's activities, the association has intensified its sensitisation and advocacy to ministries, schools and construction sites, maintaining that 

such sensitisation promote sustainable construction practices, climate resilient infrastructure and policy reforms in the built environment.

He said to further curb incidence of building collapses, the Institute Institute demands passage of national building code by the National Assembly (NASS) to address the constant incidences of building collapse in the country. to curb building collapse.

While noting that every March 13th is dedicated for Builders Day, he explained that the decision to address the media was to seek their partnership to curb incidences of building collapse, Ojeka asserted that media support could help accelerate the passage of the NBC that has reached advance stage at the NASS, as well as help in the advocacy program of the institute.

According to him, "NBC of Nigeria is a comprehensive regulatory framework established to set minimum standards for building design, construction, and maintenance to ensure safety, health, and sustainability.

"Developed to curb building collapses and structural failures. It governs all building types—residential, commercial; and industrial - covering phases from planning approval to post-construction certification."

The Cross River chapter chairman emphasised that while a builder manages the whole process of a building, others; civil engineering, quantity surveyor, and architect, are just part of the processes.

He, however, regretted that what you find obtainable in the country today is that a builder that is meant to oversee the entire process have been cut-off, explaining that approval of a building plan is the job of a builder and not the current practice where a town planner makes such approval.

The institute, however, noted the dearth of builders in Cross River and some other parts of the country saying suchl can be reversed if tertiary institutions that are yet to establish departments of building as courses can queue in.

The Builders Day in Nigeria was conceived on March 13, 2019 to commemorate the victims of the Ita- Faaji building collapse in Lagos. 

 THE BEAGLE NEWS