The president of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Eric Chukwuka has said the country has begun the process of introducing a national building code as part of measures aimed at curtailing the frequent building collapse.
Mr Chukwuka told journalists in Abuja that the executive bill to give legal backing to the comprehensive building code had been sent to the National Assembly for enactment.
Chukwuka noted that the building code which was introduced in 2006 stipulated the minimum requirements from all the seven national consultants in the building industry.
He listed the consultants as the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers.
According to him, “if we adhere to the provisions of the building code, the issue of building collapse will be reduced if not completely eliminated’’.
“Buildings don’t collapse on drawings but the materials and workmanship used to construct the building are the causes.’’
Chukwuka explained that sub-standard materials and unskilled labor were often employed in building construction in the country.
He said most collapsed buildings in the country belonged to private developers who don’t like employing the services of architects because they wanted to cut cost.
Source African Press Agency
