Former President of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr Chucks Omeife, has identified corruption as a major problem affecting development of the building industry.
Omeife made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, yesterday.
He said that corrupt practices among developers and some authorities that grant building approval documents constitute greater part of the problems confronting the industry.
Omeife said that some developers, in an attempt to earn huge income, fail to obey the ethics, code and conduct of the industry.
He said that the building code states that every stage of building construction must be approved by the state’s physical urban planning office and other responsible authorities.
According to him, some developers, however, embark on building projects without first obtaining the necessary documents from the state government and relevant authorities.
“Even the few developers that claim to meet the responsible authorities for necessary approvals usually settle the offices with cash, such that necessary examinations and visitations to sites may be skipped.
“If every stage of building construction can undergo screening and have proper approvals as stated in the building code, the incidence of building collapse will be a thing of the past.
“This is because before the authority approves any project, it will ensure that appropriate human/material resources and other necessary conducts that will ensure structural stability of the building are in place,” he said.
Omeife urged the authorities in charge of granting the building approvals to be more proactive in discharging their duties, and to refrain from colluding with developers for selfish interest.
He also identified greed of some developers as a factor that needs to be addressed, if the industry must grow.
According to him, some developers usually cut corners during construction processes and in the building materials they use, in order to maximize profit.
He said that materials like rods, gravel, sand and cement, among others, as major materials for construction, must be mixed and applied in their right proportions for good results in construction work.
“Until operators in the industry refrain from some of the sharp practices, the sector may not record significant growth,” he said.