Stakeholders Call For Revamping Of National Building Code

The Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute, (NBRRI) and other players in the construction business sector have called for the revamping of the National Building code, to drive sustainable outcome in building practices in the country noting that the move will address the spate of building collapse in the sector.

This was just as the stakeholders stressed the need for real estate operators, developers, architects and construction experts to adhere to code of practice and use of standard materials to attain sustainability of building construction in Nigeria.

The institute disclosed that the National Building Code was long overdue for a complete update and overhaul while it stressed that a complete overhaul of the national building code will enforce stringent laws and policies and also address the menace of building collapse in the country.

Speaking on the recent spate of building collapse, director general and chief operating officer of (NBRRI,) Prof. Samson Duna said the institute carried out a robust research on building collapse in Nigeria, and the outcomes revealed that substandard materials, poor remuneration, poor supervision, lack of proper topography, absence of building and planning permit, corruption, soil texture among others contribute to collapse of buildings in the country.

He appealed to construction and industry workers to use materials that meet standard specifications in construction and follow the code of practice to achieve sustainability in the construction sector.

The director of NBRRI added that the code of practice covers construction, labour, material testing, machines and manpower while he noted that construction workers should adhere to the standard requirements for the use of any materials in construction.

He called for laboratory testing of reinforcement to meet industry specification, stressing that if this is achieved, building collapse will be a thing of the past.

He further described the recent spate of building collapse in the country as an unfortunate incidence that could slow down the country’s economic growth, as he assured that the research institute will come up with some of the best testing laboratories in the country.

Similarly, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, (LASBCA) also buttressed the need to check incessant building collapse. The building control agency vowed to publish the details of defective buildings with structural issues.

The director, Public Affairs, LASBCA, Olusegun Olaoye, said publishing the list of defective buildings in national dailies, was to enlighten the public and encourage occupants to vacate.

On her part, Head Architect Department, West African Ceramics Limited, Mrs. Amaka Onyiuke,  said it was important for the country to stop importing building materials produced locally, saying such practices would not support local content.