Abuja – The newly inaugurated President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has pledged to provide training and certification of Artisans and Craftsmen in the building sector to encourage professionalism.

•Protesting artisans

The NIOB President, Mr Kenneth Nduka made the pledge at his investiture as the 20th President of the institute in Abuja.

He said his listed his five-point agenda will go a long way to boost the building sector.

Nduka said that his tenure would take advantage of the awarding body status granted the institute by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to promote training and certification of Artisans and Craftsmen.

“It is through diligence, manipulative dexterity, basket of experience and utmost attention to details secured from the dirty jobs of skilled craftsmen that designed specifications are interpreted and transformed three dimensional realities by builders.

“Besides, the National Building Code, assigned the role of supervising the activities of building trades Artisans and Craftsmen to professional builders. My tenure will increase and sustain the training of Artisans. ’’

On his five-point agenda, he noted that there should be a general advocacy on the professional roles of builders, especially as it related to cost effective, timely and collapse free buildings that would satisfy need of mankind.

“In this regard, we shall constructively engage fellow industry stakeholders, all arms of government, building products manufacturers, NGOs and the media towards achieving professionalism in the built environment.

Nduka stated that the institute would sustain the attitude of periodic competence and skill development seminars and workshops for members and relevant industry stakeholders for the enlargement of frontiers for effective response on building projects.

“This will help to encourage members to achieve professional validation and secure recognition,’’ he added.

The president affirmed that the institute would pursue the completion of its proposed Centre for Building Excellence, located in Lugbe, Abuja to achieve a one stop address for all building related solutions.

Nduka further said that the institute would yield the array of experts to spine public policy making efforts squarely in support of the best interest of the industry and within the constraints of verifiable transparency through effective contributions associated with the built environment.

“In the current democracy dispensation, policy makers have the challenge of leveraging on the perspectives of lobbyists’ agenda to discern the most equitable and the best policy choices that will address the demands of the moment.

“Achieving this expectation often requires the inputs of professionals like builders, to gain insights into particular issues for selecting suitable policy options’’.

Congratulating the newly inducted executive members of the institute, he appealed for their implicit support to steer the leadership mantle for the development of the country.

In a valedictory speech, the immediate past President, Mr Tijjani Shu’aib urged the newly inaugurated president to imbibe continuity for social economic growth to thrive.

Shu’aib called for the completion of the institutes’ programmes such as its affordable housing projects on 50 hectares of land applied and qualified for since 2015.

“Since Oct. 2015, we have applied and qualified for the grant of 50 hectares of land for the purpose of affordable housing project at the Mass Housing Department of Federal Capital Development Authority.

“This is to pave way for builders to actively participate in the National Housing Programme, showcase professional competence in infrastructure and housing development as well as avail builders opportunity to own homes when approved.

“The institute has been shortlisted for the grant but it is awaiting the FCT Minister’s approval,’’ he added.

He called for the revitalisation of several chapters of the institute including Enugu, Kastina, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Bauchi states.

The expert also called for unbundling of graduate registration into the institute to make it possible for graduates from accredited intuitions to be formally inducted into the graduate cadre within the University or College once their results were approved.

The highlight of the event was the presidential merit award given to some eminent Nigerians who have contributed immensely in the housing sector. (NAN)