Ossi calls on building and construction firms to enforce appropriate certification for its members

The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr George Ossi, has enjoined professional bodies in the building and construction firms to emulate the oil and gas industry by jointly working together to establish and enforce appropriate certifications for its members.

Ossi, who stated this in Abuja during the maiden edition of Builders Congress organised by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) said the certification would help to enhance skills shortage and eliminate the use of unqualified artisans.

According to him, the building material manufacturers/ suppliers, construction firms, academia and relevant government agencies could collaborate to drive the much needed innovation that would make the building industry in Nigeria compete favourably with those in the developed countries.

The permanent secretary further challenged the professionals to join forces with relevant government agencies to curtail incessant collapse of buildings adding that Singapore’s economic success was hinged on human resources development.

He lamented that reports of collapsed buildings and little or no patronage of indigenous contractors by the government and private organisations especially in the area of building and infrastructure development did not portray a good image for the industry.

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“The poor quality of work done by few patronised indigenous construction firms and the pride exhibited by most individuals and organisations that their projects were executed by expatriates have also made matters worse,” he added