Housing Minister, NIOB Move to Halt Incessant Building Collapses in Nigeria

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), have assured that the two parties would work closely to bring an end to the menace of frequent building collapses in the country.

Minister of Housing Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, who is leading the charge, gave the indication when he received the leadership of the NIOB led by its National President,  Alderton Ewa, who was on a visit to his office in Abuja.

A statement yesterday by the Director of Information in the ministry, Badamasi  Haiba, quoted the minister as describing the menace as an ‘embarrassment’, given the many qualified professionals in the building industry in Nigeria.

Dangiwa stated: “ As the institute is set to mark the annual ‘Builders Day’ on  March 13, the pressing issue is to tackle building collapses in the country.

“ It’s an embarrassment to the country where there are professionals such as architects, engineers, planners and surveyors. These building collapses are avoidable.

“The ministry is ready to stop the menace of building collapses across the country. The presence of the institute is a proof of the importance of collaboration between the government and the builders, in the pursuit of a sustainable development for the government.”

He also stated that the stakeholders engagement was a vital ingredient to the policies that the government needs to drive in the housing and urban development, saying that it is in line with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Accordingly, the minister took note of all the concerns tabled before him by NIOB and assured of immediate action that will improve the building sector and enhance the quality of housing, especially in the urban areas.

He explained that the solution to challenging the issue of building collapses is to avoid the use of substandard materials and ensure proper supervision and also certified approvals.

Speaking earlier, the president of NIOB, Ewa expressed the institute’s unwavering commitment to partnering with the ministry of housing and urban development in achieving its vision and collaborate towards achieving shared goals.

He highlighted some of the key areas for collective action like: Successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate, high cost of building materials, land availability, accessible financing, among others.

The NIOB president also told the minister that the Builders’ Day 2024 event  is an advocacy against building collapses, creating awareness on the need for stakeholders on building projects to adhere strictly to standards, codes of practice and building regulations.

The high point of the visit was the decoration of the, minister as an honorary fellow of the institute. NIOB is a professional body for builders and those who are about to be engaged in the building profession.