*says Building Code crucial regulatory instrument in housing construction
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata on Thursday inaugurated a 21-member committee on National Building Code Advisory.
In a statement, Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Badamasi Haiba, said the reconstituted committee comprised duly registered professionals, representatives of key institutions, relevant Non-Governmental Organisations, as well as one state representative from each of the geopolitical zones of the country.
In his address, the minister described the inauguration as a collective resolve to reposition the Nigerian building and construction industry on a foundation of standards, regulations, and professionalism.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
He added that by inaugurating the committee, the Federal Government was demonstrating its determination to ensure that every Nigerian home, office, school, hospital, and place of assembly is built to specifications that guarantee safety, durability, and sustainability.
Ata highlighted the National Building Code as a crucial regulatory instrument that sets minimum standards for pre-design, design, construction, and maintenance stages, ensuring quality, safety, and proficiency in the building industry.
Giving a historical context to the journey of building code in Nigeria, the minister explained that the first attempt was initiated in 1987 by the Federal National Council of Works and Housing, with subsequent attempts made in 1989 and 1990, then draft presented at the second National Council on Housing and Urban Development in 2005.
He stated that the code was officially signed into law in 2006 by President Olusegun Obasanjo, but has recorded slow progress due to challenges in ratification, enforcement, and compliance.
The minister further stated that the first National Building Code Advisory Committee was inaugurated in 2018, but was not reconstructed after its three-year term expired.
He said the national building code was initiated by the National Council on Housing and Urban Development to address issues such as absence of town and city planning, incessant building collapses, use of non-professionals, lack of maintenance culture, among others.
On the committee’s responsibility and enforcement, Ata said they would be responsible for periodic reviews of the code, and accountable to the minister, adding that the code establishes enforcement divisions and units at federal, state, and local government levels, staffed by registered professionals, who are charged with implementing its provisions.
Accordingly, he outlined the functions of the committee in line with Section 3 of the Code to include; periodic review of the National Building Code, recommending technical subcommittees, and guiding specialised technical sub-committees.
He said the committee would meet at least twice a year, with all meetings subject to the approval of the minister.
The minister instructed that the committee would provide quarterly reports detailing progress, challenges, and recommendations to the ministry, as well as ensure that their work leads to visible results.
“This is a serious national assignment and it must be treated as such. It cannot and must not be business as usual. Nigerians expect results. The ministry expects results”, he warned.
Ata charged members of the committee to bring their professional competence, integrity, and patriotic commitment to bear in discharging their responsibilities.
“The safety of our citizens, the durability of our infrastructure, and the resilience of our cities depend on the work you do here”, he stated.
He further emphasised the commitment of the government to delivering safe, decent, and affordable housing, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban development, expressing optimism that enforcement of the Building Code would create jobs, protect lives, secure property, and ensure that cities grow in harmony with safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.
The post Minister assures Nigerians of safe buildings, inaugurates building code advisory committee appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
