The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating the alarming trend of building collapses in the country through rigorous quality assurance measures and the use of superior construction materials.
This was made known by the director general and chief executive officer of NBRRI, Professor Samson Duna, during a Thanksgiving Service held yesterday at
the ECWA church Central area in Abuja in honour of his recent reappointment.
Speaking to journalists after the service, Duna emphasised that the institute will be focusing on the capacity to assess the quality of materials used in construction projects across Nigeria.
He noted that the asphalt utilised in many road constructions is often below the required quality standards, necessitating the acquisition of advanced laboratory equipment to ensure rigorous testing.
“The agency is centred on our mandate of conducting investigations on buildings and roads. We are responsible for anything that involves building roads and engineering materials. Our commitment is to significantly improve the quality and longevity of our infrastructure,” he said.
Duna also announced that NBRRI has acquired several state-of-the-art laboratories aimed at testing construction materials, adding, “These laboratories will ensure that the materials we use are of the highest quality to combat the persistent issue of building collapses.”
The director general expressed optimism that with these initiatives in place, the incidence of building collapses will decrease significantly, as the available quality of materials will be much improved.
He also reiterated the importance of personnel welfare and development within the institute, stating, “I assure my staff that welfare will be an ongoing priority. We will continue to enhance facilities and improve construction procedures, making affordable housing accessible to all Nigerians.”
Despite acknowledging some pressing challenges, particularly with funding, the director general expressed gratitude that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has approved an increase to NBRRI’s budget.
“This increased funding will allow us to acquire the necessary laboratory equipment to conduct meaningful research, research that is not simply archived but is implementable and beneficial to the community,” he said.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Godfrey Uche Nnaji, described Duna as a committed and dedicated man who is doing well in the ministry.
“We are here to celebrate the reappointment of Samso Duna for another four years. He is a special breed of Nigeria. What the President did was to put a square peg in a square hole.
“He has outperformed, he is a man that you just give him the job and do not tell him what to do or not to do. The expectations, as usual, will be high, but I can assure you that he will deliver,” he said.
The Senator representing Gombe South, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, expressed optimism that with what God is doing in the life of Samson Duna, he is seeing giant strides back home.
Also, the member representing Kaltungo Shomgom Federal Constituency, Obeth Paul Shehu, said Samson Duna deserves to be congratulated and celebrated for the development he is bringing back home.
The director of consultancy and extension services at NBRRI, Chief Daniel Makava, also expressed his approval of Professor Duna’s leadership.
Reflecting on Duna’s previous four-year term, Chief Makava stated, “The staff expected this reappointment because we recognized the positive changes he has brought to the institute.”
He credited Professor Duna with improving employee welfare, infrastructural development, and the availability of advanced laboratory equipment, which has bolstered the institute’s capabilities in testing various construction materials, including steel and bitumen.
“We give glory to God for bringing Professor Duna to lead NBRRI to its current standing,” added Makava.
He noted the visible enhancements at the NBRRI offices and expressed collective satisfaction among staff regarding the institute’s growth under Duna’s leadership.
