By Angela Atabo
The Federal Government and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) have charged newly inducted members to take frontline responsibility in eliminating quacks and reversing the recurring trend of building collapses across the country
The call was made at the 25th CORBON Induction of New Builders, in Abuja.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said builders’ expertise, professionalism, and technical competence were the backbone of quality construction and structural integrity.
Dangiwa, represented by Mr Mukhtar Umar, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, urged the inductees to uphold standards, entrench ethical practice, and strengthen professionalism to curb building collapse among others.
He charged, “Through your skills, precision, and adherence to best practices, you ensure that every project reflects excellence, sustainability, and long-term value.
“In a country like ours where infrastructure remains both a priority and a challenge, the role of builders cannot be overstated.”
Dangiwa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to providing robust policy framework that promotes the growth of the profession and advances the development of the built environment.
The Chairman of CORBON, Dr Samson Opaluwah, said the builders were inducted at a time when the industry was facing significant challenges in the light of recurring unfortunate yet avoidable collapse incidents in the industry.
He said, “As a council, we remain resolute in our mission to regulate and control the practice of the building profession in all its ramifications.
“Your registration does not merely confer a title; it signifies a commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, competence and public safety.
“You are expected to function as the guardians of public safety in buildings, the torchbearers of excellence in project delivery and the innovators poised to deliver sustainable solutions to the housing needs of society.”
Opaluwah urged the inductees to adopt global best practices and contribute meaningfully to advancing the profession and embrace innovations like the Nigerian Gas expansion programme for gas reticulation in buildings.
He said that the Federal Government had just rolled out two regulations: one on builders practice and the second one on health and safety on building sites.
Opaluwah said that these regulations were meant to strengthen the professional practice on site by all builders.
He urged the inductees to demonstrate new technologies in the approach to building construction and practice as well as enhance the implementation of the National Building Code.
The Chairman of the Occasion and CEO of Brunnel, Mr Alex Onuegbu, charged the new inductees to embrace their responsibilities with seriousness, adding that the quality of Nigeria’s housing sector directly affects national development and global perception.
He said, “After food, the next most essential need for human survival is shelter.
“In an environment where you keep hearing of collapsed buildings, it places a huge responsibility on professional builders to reverse the trend by eliminating quacks.
“The essence of this ceremony is to bring in competent, trained and tested individuals to take charge of the built environment knowing that the quality of infrastructure impacts not just safety but the country’s tourism potential.”
The Registrar and Secretary to CORBON, Mr Adetunji Adeniran, urged the inductees to uphold the dignity of the profession.
“They should have a positive attitude toward the practice of their profession, keep developing themselves and keep the flag of the profession flying.
“People have laboured for the profession to get to where it is so, they should not bring it to disrepute.”
Responding on behalf of the inductees, Mr Oshinowo George, expressed gratitude to the council, describing the induction as timely for innovation within the sector.
He said, “It is a period to move the construction environment further, to search for newer materials and make construction easier, faster and better. We are ready and eager to set the ball rolling.”
Another inductee, Joy Anosike, pledged to contribute to greater visibility for the profession and to encourage more women to enter the field because of low female presence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
