Expert Calls On Kwara Govt. To Domesticate National Building Code, Involve Professional Builders In Building Process

Expert Calls On Kwara Govt. To Domesticate National Building Code, Involve Professional Builders In Building Process

Expert in the Nigeria building industry has called on Kwara State Government to domesticate the national building code and involve professional builders in the building permit process to improve construction safety in the state.

This call was made by Bldr. Sulaiman Funsho Aliyu MNIOB, a registered builder and Head of Department of Building Technology, Federal Polytechnic Offa. In his release, he stressed that exclusion of professionals in the built environment from the building is a critical oversight that undermines safety and inadequate consideration of buildability and maintainability.

“The building profession, represented by registered builders, is currently excluded amongst Professionals in the Built Environment from the building permit process in Kwara State’s Physical Planning and Development Control.” He said “This oversight can lead to issues like: Lack of professional input in construction planning, potential safety and quality issues and inadequate consideration of buildability and maintainability.” He added.

Aliyu expounded that a professional builder is an academically trained specialist certified by the statutory regulatory professional body, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON )who is responsible for Building production management, construction and maintenance of Buildings for the use and protection of mankind.

Aliyu also highlighted some possible steps in which Kwara State can adhere to, the steps include: reviewing existing laws and regulations, engaging with stakeholders, builders, architects and engineers to gather input on implementing the code and providing training and capacity building programs for construction professionals.

Similarly, Aliyu listed benefits attached to domestication including: improved safety, standardization and economic belief.

“This move could benefit Kwara State’s development by ensuring buildings are constructed to withstand natural disaster and other hazards.” He concluded.

While appreciating the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahaman Abdulrasaq on the urban renewal initiative in Kwara State, he charged the State Government to follow the example of states like Lagos, Kaduna, Ogun, Rivers, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, FCT among others.