LAGOS – The National Building Code (NBC) is a draft document formulated by the seven professional bodies in the built environment for the purpose of putting in place, guidelines that would further strengthen the construction industry, could be likened to a still birth unless something drastic was done to revive it, experts have warned
They attributed so many factors as to why the bill is yet to see the light of day, adding that the draft document was sent to the National Assembly for over eight years and up till now; it is still a subject of debate.
“There was a time it was learnt, that it had passed the third reading and was already at the committee stage of the whole house.
“As at the end of the life of the eight Assemblies, nothing was heard of the draft bill, they said.
They opined that the NBC as of now could be likened to a still birth unless something drastic was done to ‘revive’ it.
More so, as the built environment is currently experiencing serious challenges with the spate of building collapses being witnessed across the country, especially in Lagos State.
Mr.Chucks Omeife, a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) posited, that it was not the function of the National Assembly to pass the draft bill of the National Building Code into law.
His words: “the responsibility of the National Assembly is not to pass the NBC into law but to provide an enabling law that would back the National Building Code. Up until the life of the lsdt Assembly lapsed, nothing was heard about the state of the bill.”
Omeife lamented a situation where the National Assembly is foot dragging on the issue of providing an enabling law to back the NBC.
He wondered why the NASS is taking eternity to give the draft the legal teeth it requires to function adding that thus development is worrisome.
He said “In view of the recent collapses of a 21 storey building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi,a two storey building at Badagry and the one at Osapa along Ajah,it is expedient for those responsible for the passage of the National Building Code to do so without further delay.
He said Presidents of the professional bodies in the built environment should come together and lobby the NASS members to ensure that the NBC sees the light of day as soon as possible.
Omeife pointed out, that now is the time to allow the NBC come into fruition.He was quick to add, that enough was not being done by those in the construction industry in ensuring the passage of the NBC.
Mr.Emmanuel Wike, the President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers(NIESV), submitted, that over the years, Presidents of the seven professional bodies in the built environment have not relented in their collective efforts at ensuring that the NBC seed the light of day.
His words: “ We have consistently advocated for the members if the National Assembly to do the ‘needful by giving the NBC a legal backing and we would not stop putting pressure on them until the right thing is done.
“There is no right thinking professional or stakeholder who would express joy at happenings in the construction industry more do,as it involves lives.We can’t fold our arms and watch people die without going something to bring this ugly development to an end”.
According to the NBC is a document that is very relevant and apt for the regulation of the construction process, adding that no efforts would be spared, in seeing that the code gets the legal ‘teeth’ to operate.
Mr.Wike said that he was optimistic, that the code would be ‘fully operational’ before the second quarter of 2023,adding that all hands must be on deck to actualise this lofty dream.
Mr.Wasiu Kareem, a Quantity Surveyor, while speaking in similar vein, wondered why it was taking “eternity” for the National Assembly to do the needful
According to him, the National Building Code is a well thought out document which has the inputs of all the seven professional bodies in the construction industry.
He urged members of the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the enabling law in order for the bill to see the light of day.
He particularly frowned at the recurring building collapses bring witnessed in Lagos State ascribing this development majorly to the absence of the National Building Code, noting that ‘buildings were just coming down ‘like a pack of cards’ making it look like the country no longer has regulatory agencies to monitor development in the construction industry.
He regretted a situation where genuine professionals and stakeholders alike in the built environment were constantly being embarrassed daily as a result of these incessant building collapses happening nationwide.
source: independent
