09/03/2021
*THE STRUGGLE AGAINST QUACKERY ON BUILDING SITES: NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER!*
In Nigeria, does the sun shine? Does the rain fall? How safe are the buildings?
Why do we waste precious time asking the obvious? Meiosis! Rhetorical questions!
Of course, many buildings in Nigeria are not safe simply because the system allows quacks to operate on building sites.
When the procedure being adopted on most sites in this country is more of trial and error, in contradiction to the training received on building construction technology, then safety has been compromised ab initio.
Any nation that does not ensure that sensitive jobs and operations are carried out by specialists will constantly suffer the repercussions.
In a challenging situation like this, Builders must not resign to fate.
The opportunity this season of Builders' Day offers is the need to defy inertia and act en masse, using various means to assert your role and responsibilities in the nation's construction sector.
A Builder is the repository of building construction techniques. This is the time for Builders to display the advanced setting out techniques, methods of achieving equal goings and risers in staircase construction, control of dampness, underpinning, effective treatment of cracks, non-undulating and smooth rendering techniques etc.
Competence and accuracy are hallmarks of the building profession.
Diffidence and intimidation should be overcome. One should not underestimate one's ability in the quest for construction innovation.
There is the need to develop more Builders in order to cope with the volume of buildings being constructed and maintained.
Awareness should be created from the secondary school level so as to increase the number of candidates choosing Building as the first course.
I'm really impressed by the ongoing Career Talk, The Catch Them Young exercise embarked upon by various chapters of the institute. Kudos to Bldr.(Dr.) Mrs. Ndidi Iheama-led Catch Them Young Committee.
The importance of Building Condition Survey cannot be overemphasised. I admire the unrelenting spirit of Bldr.( Dr.) Femi Akinsola- led Committee on this exercise across the country.
From the 2020 Builders' Day Brochure, NIOB State Chapters led by their able Chairmen did wonderfully well. Kudos to them.
Building on last year's achievement, all Chapters are currently working hard to make a greater impact. Mobilisation. From Sokoto to Cross River, from Borno to Lagos, Pre- Builders' Day activities are in progress and top gear. There are cheering reports of visits to our Royal Highnesses in our traditional institutions. Such visits include but are not limited to the ones to the Emir of Zaria and the Olubadan of Ibadan. These efforts are highly commendable
As if it is a competition, no Chapter wants to be left behind. I marvel at the zeal of Builders. Women Builders are coming out strong. Kudos to our mobilising Building Students. Well done our Building Artisans and Caftsmen.
Interestingly, my fellow Presidents of the other professional bodies in the built environment are taking part in the current Builders' Day activities.
Waoh! Collaboration in a strategic move to eliminate building collapse is a welcome development. Also, reaching out to public office holders and opinion leaders should not be left out.
Massive press coverage, including the use of social media is needed. From radio and TV stations, through call-in programmes and providing technical advice to the public on building construction is high priority.
Please, I enjoin all State Chapters to invest in publicity. It is publicity to save lives and help our society. Engage professional photographers and video recording experts for proper documentation of the events. The Marketing & Corporate Affairs Committee of the institute should please coordinate and ensure early collation of records.
Quackery is the major threat to safety in the Nigerian built environment. We must address this threat collectively with all our vigour. No retreat, no surrender!
Arise Great Builders and blow your trumpet to arouse the interest of clients that believe in quality work.
I wish you all a successful Builders' Day.
Thanks and God bless.
Builder Kunle Awobodu,FNIOB
National President of the
Nigerian Institute of Building.
9th March, 2021.
