In a landmark move set to reshape Nigeria’s construction landscape, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the first such collaborative agreement between regulatory bodies in the nation’s built environment.
This historic alliance aims to strengthen the enforcement of construction standards, address the pervasive issue of building collapse, and foster a new era of professionalism and innovation within the industry.
The comprehensive MoU outlines five key areas of collaboration. These include joint monitoring and inspection on building projects, which seeks to enhance oversight and ensure adherence to established construction standards.
The partnership also involves joint accreditation and certification of laboratories, standardizing and improving the quality of materials testing and analysis crucial for safe construction. Furthermore, joint capacity building training for registrants of both Councils will facilitate the exchange of expertise and improve professional competence among builders and engineers.
Data sharing and reporting of relevant data, reports, and findings will provide a robust knowledge base for informed decision-making and improved regulatory oversight. Finally, the Councils will work in tandem on enforcement and regulatory compliance with standards, ensuring stringent adherence to construction regulations.
Bldr. Samson Ameh Opaluwah, Chairman of CORBON, hailed the MoU as “a new chapter of cooperation and collaboration towards mutual growth, rather than competition and confrontation.” He underscored CORBON’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment within the industry, emphasizing that the partnership signifies a shared commitment to addressing systemic challenges in the building sector.
Opaluwah highlighted that the MoU lays a foundation for a strong partnership for mutual collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint delivery of national development outcomes by builders and engineers.
He also noted that infrastructure development and management, the bedrock of modern civilization, requires every nation to optimize its resources in their delivery, especially the human capital component.
Echoing this sentiment, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, President of COREN, stated that the “partnership will enable us to leverage our collective expertise and resources to drive innovation and excellence in the industry.”
He made a clarion call for similar collaborations among all regulatory bodies, stressing that competition and confrontation would only create regulatory gaps that could be exploited, leading to disastrous consequences like building collapse.
Prof. Abubakar, whose council has existed for over 53 years, further elaborated on the formation of FORBEN (Forum for Regulators in the Built Environment of Nigeria) as an innovative step to foster effective collaboration among the seven regulatory bodies in the construction industry.
Media reports that the MoU, signed in Abuja, directly targets building collapse and other systemic challenges plaguing Nigeria’s construction industry.
Through their joint efforts, the Councils are committed to encouraging best practices, improving project management, ensuring quality delivery, and promoting innovative practices in the nation’s building and engineering industry.
The benefits of this historic agreement, as highlighted by both leaders, include a mutual understanding and appreciation of specific and special expertise and boundaries between the professions. It will also lead to enhanced capacity building for registrants to improve professional expertise, the sharing of best practices and innovations in the building and engineering industry, improved regulation and monitoring of standards, and increased opportunities for collaboration in research, innovation, and development of efficient and effective infrastructure.
The ceremony saw the presence of prominent figures from both Councils, including CORBON Council Members Bldr. Prof. Shehu Ahmadu Bustani, Bldr. Ukponirefe Aimiuwu, and Bldr. Dr. Sunday Imong; CORBON Registrar, Bldr. Adetunji Adeniran, mni; COREN Registrar, Engr. Prof. OAU Uche; Ag. Executive Secretary NIOB, Bldr. Patricia Ehi; and MD/CEO of Tectonics Group, Engr. Aisha Kawu Gombe, alongside other management staff.