Ministry, Institute To Tackle Building Collapse

Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) have assured Nigerians that they would work together to end the menace of building collapse in the country.

A press statement signed by the ministry’s director of information, Badamasi Salisu Haiba, revealed that the housing minister, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa gave the assurance when he received the leadership of the NIOB led by its national president, Sir Alderton Ewa Ewa on a visit to his office, yesterday.

Dangiwa reiterated that the stakeholders’ engagement is a vital ingredient to the policies that the government needs to drive housing and urban development, adding that it is in line with the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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

“As the Institute is set to mark the annual Builders Day on the 13th March, the pressing issue is to tackle building collapse in the country. It’s an embarrassment to the country where there are professionals such as architects, engineers, planners and surveyors; the building collapse is avoidable.

“The ministry is ready to stop the menace of building collapse 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 said.

Speaking earlier, the president of the NIOB, Alderton Ewa Ewa expressed the Institute’s unwavering commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in achieving its vision.

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 and others.