In a bid to curb the bane of building collapse in Nigeria, the Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Kabiru Bala, has called for unified professional efforts to combat quackery and the use of sub-standard materials in construction.
Speaking at the inaugural Northern Builders Forum Retreat in Zaria, Prof Bala highlighted the need for professionals in Nigeria’s building environment to demonstrate competence and diligence in ensuring safe structures for habitation.
He said the increasing incidents of building collapse in Nigeria necessitate a joint effort among professionals to safeguard the building environment from quack practices and substandard materials.
Prof Bala, who is a former chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), noted that despite challenges, the construction sector offered significant opportunities for economic growth, particularly in addressing the country’s housing and infrastructure deficits.
He stressed that with an estimated 28 million housing unit deficit and substantial infrastructure gaps, builders and other professionals must prepare to leverage on these opportunities for national development.
Earlier, chairman of CORBON, Mr Samson Opaluwah, underscored the construction sector’s role as a major employer of labour in Nigeria.
He emphasised the need for capacity building in indigenous construction firms to retain economic benefits within the country.