Guardian

TO ensure that Nigerian construction industry measures up to international performance and standards, the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has struck a partnership deal with two nations – Singapore and Malaysia with a view to encourage cross-fertilization of ideas among the professionals.

This came to fore following NIOB’s study tour of the construction industry in Malaysia and Singapore.  The tour, ostensibly, was meant to appraise new technology in housing and infrastructural development, The Guardian learnt.

Also, the tour was embarked upon to carry out a detailed study of the construction industry’s existing regulatory agencies in the two countries and their operational framework, including other laws that impact positively on the industry.

The trip that was jointly packaged by the Nigerian Investment and Promotion Council (NIPC) and the FCT-Abuja chapter of the Institute, had about 50 participants who are members on the tour that was described as “an eye opener”, to how things can work efficiently. Among members of the Institute in the contingent was the Immediate past president of the Institute, D.D. Jambol, the Chairman of FCT Chapter of the Institute, Musa Yakubu and the Chapter Secretary, Abalaka, among others.

S peaking on the outcome of the tour, President of the Institute, Chucks Omeife, who led the delegation that included members of the Institute, developers and individuals sponsored by corporate organizations in the built environment, said the visit was initiated in line with NIOB’s 5-year strategic plan.

According to Omeife, among the objectives of the tour was to seek and engage in international collaboration so as to bring in best professional practices that will impact on the Nigerian construction industry.     He also noted that Nigerian construction industry, being part of the global construction industry, must embrace cross-fertilization of ideas, technology and knowledge exchange to grow the local industry to meet global standard.

The NIOB president noted that the issue of mass housing was one of the major objectives, why the trip was embarked upon. “The two countries visited, Singapore and Malaysia, have done very well in this area of affordable housing, by providing for majority of their citizens. This, they achieved by putting in place workable regulatory framework that covers construction methodology for fast housing delivery and robust housing mortgage for their people”, said Omeife, adding that despite the low population and limited land mass, it was instructive that Singapore with no natural resources to their advantage provides housing for 90 percent of the population, while Malaysia provides accommodation for over 80 percent.

He said it was in view of the above that NIOB felt that a study tour of these countries was necessary, “to see, study and learn on how they have done it, especially their regulatory agencies and operational framework for the construction industry that makes it possible.”

According to him, the construction industry development board oversees the regulation of all institutional, professional associations and their regulatory bodies. The growth of the Industry including the growth of the local stakeholders especially the local contractors, encouraging best industry practice, setting benchmark for standard and quality, health and safety, skill requirements and initiating continuous development programme for professionals, artisans and craftsmen and so on, said Omeife, adding that this is one major aspect missing in the Nigerian set up.

According to him, the interaction with professional associations and regulatory agencies was very resourceful. “They made us realize that they have a free hand with government’s support to put in place various regulations and policies that will continue to sanitize the industry to make it vibrant, professionalized and efficient in service delivery.

Notwithstanding, Omeife is hopeful of transformation within the sector, adding that the challenge to is having credible Nigerians who can provide transformative leadership based on commitment, transparency and patriotism to the Nigerian project at different levels of the economy, sector and the society.

Similarly, General Secretary of NIOB, Tanko Bello Mohammed, said the trip was very educative. “There, we observed and confirmed unity of purpose amongst the professionals in the built environment in these places, unlike in Nigeria. Their governments are willing and ready to fund and encourage best practice, while supporting export of professional services based on business prospectus with financial backing anywhere in the world.”

Mohammed said that, Nigerian construction industry has more institutional professional regulation but inadequate government regulatory agencies to manage the different aspect of the industry.

“In both countries visited, majority of their works are carried out by local contractors whose growth in terms of capacity and capability can be seen to be encouraged through deliberate policies by their government. This policy has caused a major impact on the construction industry where the technological development and innovation have been driven by the people, due to long years of involvement, practice and empowerment”, he said, adding that the unity of purpose and co-operation amongst the built environment professional and stakeholders in both countries visited was very inspiring and encouraging.

Among the agencies visited in Malaysia included: Construction Industry Development Board  (CIDB) in Malaysia; Master Builders Association of Malaysia; National Housing Authority, Malaysia and Federal Ministry Housing, Local Government and Development.

Others were: The largest seaport in the world, Westpoint Harbour port- one; Building Materials Association of Malaysia; Putrajaya Holdings Limited – Developers of Putrajaya- the Administrative capital of Malaysia and International Greentech and Eco Products exhibition.

In Singapore, the group visited: the Chartered Institute of Building, (CIB); Construction Industry Development Board  (CIDB); Singapore Institute of Building (SIB); Institute of Engineers Singapore  (IES); Building and Construction Authority  (BCA); Construction Industry Joint Committee (CDC); Housing Development Board (HDB); Council for the Built Environment (CBE); Solaris Fusionopolis Science Centre and Marina Bay Sands, said to be the world biggest outstanding project.