Nigeria’s Builder’s Disciplinary Tribunal is a game-changer in the fight against unlicensed building practices, paving the way for enhanced public trust and a safer built environment nationwide.
Abuja – The Federal Government has launched the Builder’s Disciplinary Tribunal to address accountability and reinforce professional standards in Nigeria’s construction sector.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja on Tuesday, was led by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, who emphasized the tribunal’s role in promoting ethical practices.
Dangiwa highlighted that the tribunal was essential for ensuring compliance within the building profession. “Today, we mark a very important step towards strengthening accountability within the building profession in our dear country,” he stated. The tribunal was established in accordance with Sections 16 (1) and (2) of the Builders Registration Act, Cap B13, LFN 2004.
The tribunal’s creation follows several recent building collapses across the country, including a tragic incident in Lugbe, Abuja, where five lives were lost last week. “This is not an isolated case but part of a recurring pattern that demands our attention and decisive action,” Dangiwa noted, underscoring the urgency for regulatory reforms in the industry.
According to Dangiwa, the tribunal is not only a measure to uphold professional standards but also a vital component for public safety. “It sends a strong message that negligence, misconduct, or compromise on safety standards will not be tolerated in the building industry,” he added, aligning the initiative with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister urged the tribunal members to approach their responsibilities with professionalism. “Your decisions will have far-reaching effects, and I trust you to carry out your responsibilities with integrity and fairness,” he said.
Dr. Samson Opaluwah, Chairman of the Council for Registered Builders of Nigeria and head of the tribunal, reiterated the tribunal’s mission to enforce ethical conduct among builders. “This tribunal is a critical part of the institutional framework established to ensure that society is protected against malfeasance,” he remarked.
Opaluwah also called attention to the prevalence of unlicensed builders in the industry, emphasizing the need to broaden regulatory oversight to include all practitioners in the sector. “While we are committed to disciplining Registered Builders, there is still a huge number of quacks practising without licenses,” he stated, urging for an expansion of legal frameworks to tackle this issue.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Olatunde Ajayi commended the tribunal’s establishment, describing it as a critical step for enhancing regulatory standards within the building industry. “This tribunal serves as a beacon of justice, ensuring that the building industry operates with the highest degree of transparency and integrity,” he concluded.
Nigeria’s Builder’s Disciplinary Tribunal is a game-changer in the fight against unlicensed building practices, paving the way for enhanced public trust and a safer built environment nationwide.
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