SON Rallies Stakeholders Amid Quality Issues in Building, Construction Industry

James Emejo in Abuja

Director-General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, yesterday said it remained committed to working with other government agencies, professional associations, industry leaders and international partners to evolve a cohesive approach to tackling quality and safety issues in the building and construction industry.

He said though SON had adopted a proactive approach, ensuring that set standards are not only up to date but also responsive to the latest industry trends, technologies and best international practices to improve the quality of materials and reduce substandard products, the agency “cannot achieve these goals all alone”.

Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ forum on the building/construction sector in Nigeria, with the theme, “Adherence to Standard Practices: The Bedrock of Sustainable Development in the Building Sector”, he made a passionate appeal to all players in the sector to prioritise quality and safety above all else.

He said, “Every stakeholder, from contractors to suppliers, must be committed to using approved materials and adhering strictly to standards. A ‘quality-first’ mentality is the foundation upon which a safe, resilient and prosperous building sector can be achieved.”

Okeke said the building sector remained fundamental to any nation’s growth, as it underpins economic development, societal stability and infrastructure expansion but lamented that it has continued to face complex issues of quality, durability, multiplicity of purpose and long-lasting sustainability.

He said the industry was marked by poor construction practices, quackery, unprofessionalism and inadequate or lack of proper soil testing.
The SON boss further stated that non-adherence to standards and codes of practice in the construction process had resulted in unfortunate cases of building collapses, endangering lives, loss of property and damaging public trust.

Nonetheless, he pointed out that the agency’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Program (MANCAP) ensures that locally manufactured products meet minimum quality standards while Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) controls the quality of imported materials, preventing substandard items from entering the local market.

He stated that rapid urbanisation and a rising population had place immense demands on every infrastructure, making the building construction industry both an opportunity and a challenge.

He said, “As we continue to develop our nation, we must do so with sustainability in mind. Adopting eco-friendly practices, investing in sustainable materials and designing resilient structures are no longer optional, they are as imperative as research and development. There is a need to work collectively to bridge knowledge gaps, promote adherence to standards and build a culture of quality and accountability.

“In line with the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, we are focused on encouraging a resilient and self-reliant building and construction sector that serves as a backbone for economic growth and social progress.

“Furthermore, under the guidance of our Honourable Minister, we are strengthening our commitment to fostering a building sector conducive to sustainable growth, innovation and international competitiveness.”

Okeke lamented that despite many sensitisation and awareness campaigns carried out by SON over the years, many industry stakeholders and practitioners still lacked awareness of the standards required for safe, durable and sustainable buildings.

He said this knowledge gap exists not only among construction workers but also among suppliers and building professionals, adding that training and education are essential to bringing everyone up to par with international best practices.

He said, “In the same way, our growing population requires a rapid increase in affordable housing, which brings with it the challenge of meeting demand without compromising on quality. Innovative materials, construction techniques and designs must be developed and standardized to meet this demand while maintaining quality and safety.

“However, SON has a mandate to develop, approve and enforce standards across all sectors, including the building and construction industry. As we confront the challenges in this sector, SON is dedicated to promoting safe practices, ensuring quality and supporting sustainable development through several other initiatives.

“SON has worked closely and will continue to do so with industry experts and practitioners to develop and update standards for construction materials, techniques and safety protocols.”

 However, President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said SON’s domestication of codes and standards in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and its corresponding Committee on Codes and Standards must not go unnoticed, adding however that “we need to do more”.

He called for a robust monitoring framework, effective regulation and diligent enforcement of quality regulations where necessary.

Abubakar noted that at the moment, there exist Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) that cover building materials such as cement, glass, steel, blocks among others while British standards, eurocodes are still being used in some quarters.

According to him, “While there is nothing wrong with the adaptation of foreign codes and standards, such adaptation needs to address the local conditions and peculiarities in the country.

“Nigeria is situated in sub-Saharan Africa with its inherent weather conditions different from that of the temperate and other regions, hence the need for the development of local codes and standards that addresses these peculiarities.

“Adherence to standard practice therefore, requires a robust monitoring framework, effective regulation and diligent enforcement where necessary.”