As the 4^th Edition of the Builders’ Day is commemorated across Nigeria today, the Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) has called on the Federal Government to create a Housing Trust Fund through the instrumentality of legislation to stimulate the mortgage market, tackled the problems of housing deficit confronting the Nation and to enable the populace have access to affordable and decent house ownership by the populace. The Institute also decried the rate of avoidable building collapse in Nigeria which it said has led to monumental loss of lives and property.

These disclosures were made by the President of the Institute and former Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University (PLASU), Bldr Prof. Yohana Izam FNIOB. Prof. Izam while applauding Nigerians on the conduct of 2023 general elections both at National and sub-national levels with the task of nation building urged the incoming administration at all levels to place high premium on housing and make it one of their top agenda. He said housing development must be prioritized on the takeoff of the new administration in Nigeria.

According to him, NIOB is mindful of the pathetic state of housing in Nigeria which has been largely characterized by huge gaps in quantity and quality, the embarrassing menace of building collapse, dearth of skilled Artisans, affordability concerns, weak regulatory frameworks as well as overall poor development of the housing which he said must be given greater attention owing to its importance since housing is one of the major physiological needs of the people.

“The Country is long overdue for the recalibration of housing corporations as viable one-stop shops for managing all aspects of housing development with the specialized Ministry devoting greater attention to housing policy formulation. The Country is long overdue for the recalibration of the mortgage sector to allow for improved transparency and access to home ownership” he said.

He called for the discontinuation of the Federal and State Ministries’ involvement in direct construction of houses saying housing agencies should be saddled with the implementation of housing targets on short, medium and long-term plans. He also harped on the professionalization of the housing sector to allow for better synergy among professional actors which in turn he said has the propensity of defeating the menace of quackery and if done an urgent review of contractor classification and registration must be put in place to follow global best practices.

He further stressed that a responsible agenda for housing development cannot coexist with the current unacceptable incidences of building collapse in the Country which he said no State in Nigeria has immunity against. He said Builders are professionals trained to enhance the quality of all production of buildings in Nigeria.

He decried the rate of building collapse in the Country especially the sad event of 13^th March, 2019 which witnessed the collapse of a five-storey building at 63, Massey Street, Ita Faaji in which 20 School Children lost their lives, yet the Country has not stopped witnessing the collapse of buildings with attendant loss of lives and property.

“Ita-Faaji has thus become a metaphor through which to view the monumental loss of great potentials and material resources associated with the reckless and needless collapse of buildings during and after construction. In the last four decades, an estimated 465 buildings have collapsed across major cities due to a range of factors that border on poor regulation of production management, use of substandard materials, illegal alterations to existing building and activities of quacks” he hinted.

His buttressed that the Institution is of the strong view that the attainment of the much needed job creation targets by the incoming administration can only be quickly realized through the stimulation of the Housing sector saying studies have shown that job creation potential for housing sector in Africa ranges from 2 to 6 and 3 to 9 indirect jobs per unit of housing.

“Another key point to stress is the value that unlocking the housing sector creates in the area of inclusion by promoting job opportunities for not only builders, Architects and Engineers but also craftsmen such as plumbers, welders, electricians, painters, carpenters etc. The impact of housing therefore goes beyond the valuable social benefits of providing shelter and deepening stakeholder engagement with nation building but also includes indirect benefits that result from the multiplier effects of consumer spending” he stressed.

The event which is being held in all the 36 States of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory also witnessed the induction of 110 registered corporate Members by Barr. Ogugua Ojeh.

Prof. Izam congratulated the newly inducted Corporate Members with a charge on them to work towards achieving their full professional status and pursue to be licensed as professionals.

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Nigerian Builders Advocate for the Creation of Housing Trust Fund, Decries Rate of Building Collapse in Nigeria