Building Collapses: Quackery Practice Prevalence Worries, NIOB, CORBON

By Khalid Idris Doya

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) have expressed concern about the prevalence of quackery practice in the profession leading to building collapses and the loss of lives and properties.

Builder Idris Abubakar Sadiq, the Institute Second Vice President, at a North East zonal retreat of members, emphasized the importance of discussing and reviewing chapter activities to set an agenda for the year 2024.

According to him has the objective of addressing various issues affecting the building profession, including the problem of unqualified individuals practicing (QUACKERY) building collapses, and the need for increase in the council membership.

Sadiq explained that the implementation of the National Building Code is crucial in addressing the quackery issue, and expressed disappointment at the delay the bill is facing, thereby allowing unqualified individuals to continue constructing substandard buildings.

On his part, Bldr. Prof. Usman Sani Kunya, said that the Bauchi state chapter will take the lead in ensuring the full implementation of all the resolutions that have been put in place.

He therefore called on governments at all levels to pay more attention to the building industry as a means of improving the country’s cash flow.

Kunya who is a deputy vice Chancellor academics ATBU emphasized the importance of state chapters across the country being proactive in managing the affairs of their respective states

Also speaking, Builder Dr. Napoleon D. Usman, the immediate past registrar of the NIOB and the current Chairman Education and Examination Committee of the council, lamented that responsibilities of builders have been taken over by other professionals in the built environment.

Dr. Napoleon Usman also attributed the bedevilling problem to lack of synergy and unity between builders and other professionals which, he said, can only be resolved through the implementation of the National Building Code.

The immediate past chairman of NIOB, Bauchi Chapter, Builder Mohammed Danlami Garba and Hon. Builder Saidu Suleiman Darazo, discussed extensively about the development of the profession, government programs and policies, and the importance of mentoring younger professionals.

They also emphasized the need for sanctions against those who do not adhere to professional conduct and the importance of engaging the national assembly to ensure the implementation of the building code and promote synergy between the two building bodies.

In his goodwill message at the occasion, the host and chairman of the Bauchi State Chapter of the Institute, Builder Zailani Yusuf tasked members of various chapters to be active and fully engage themselves in all affairs of the institute, urging them not to only allow the executive officers to be at the forefront, but also engage themselves, as this will lead to better results.

The retreat brought together members and stakeholders from the academia, private and public sectors, and politics across the six states of the northeast zone, where participants discussed various topics, including the passage of the State Urban Development Law, as they also reached resolutions to address the challenges facing the building profession.