The Taraba State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called on the state government to urgently domesticate and fully implement the National Building Code (NBC) to prevent the recurring cases of building collapse across the state and nation at large.
The appeal was made by the state chairman of the Institute, Dr. Ayuba Ibrahim, during a two-day technical workshop held in Jalingo for professionals and prospective practitioners in the building industry.
Dr. Ayuba expressed deep concern over the widespread collapse of buildings, attributing the trend to the failure of many states, including Taraba, to adopt and enforce the NBC. According to him, the absence of regulation has turned the building industry into a porous sector, vulnerable to unsafe practices and disaster.
“Any sector that is not closely regulated is prone to serious disasters and we must tell ourselves the truth. The building industry is one of such unregulated industries in most parts of the country, including Taraba,” he warned.
He lamented that individuals without proper qualifications often take on building projects, driven solely by financial gain and lacking the necessary knowledge of construction standards. This, he said, results in poorly executed projects that pose grave risks to lives and property.
Dr. Ayuba emphasized that the built environment involves an intricate collaboration between various professionals such as quantity surveyors, architects, town planners, land surveyors, and estate managers. He stressed that without proper coordination and adherence to a standard code, buildings remain vulnerable to collapse.
He further noted that many people mistakenly seek out civil engineers rather than certified builders when constructing homes, calling this a dangerous practice born out of ignorance.
Dr. Ayuba therefore appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas and the Taraba State House of Assembly to expedite the process of domesticating the NBC, stating that this move is crucial for the safety of residents and the integrity of future buildings.
“The need for this can never be overemphasized,” he said. “Let me also call on the general public to always consult a building engineer when they want to build, for their own safety and safety of their investments.”
