A Bill for Act to establish the Construction Materials Standardization Agency to standardize and control the use of materials for the construction industry in Nigeria on Thursday scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.
The Bill, which aims to check the incidents of collapsed buildings in the country is sponsored by Hon. Gideon Gwani.
The Bill was referred to the Committee on Housing and Industry for further legislative action by the Speaker, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, after a vigorous debate by the House members.
Gwani said the functions of the agency shall include enforcing compliance with laws, guidelines, policies and standards on construction materials matters; coordinating and liaising with stakeholders in Nigeria on matters of construction materials standards, regulation and enforcement; and enforcing compliance with all legislation or regulations on the importation, production, distribution, storage, sale, use of substandard or hazardous construction materials.
Presenting his lead debate, he said research has shown in recent times that the recurring menace of building collapse is common in developing countries with Nigeria not being an exception.
“Nigeria as a country has recorded numerous cases of building collapse with the most recent one being the collapse of a 21-storey building at Ikoyi, Lagos State which resulted in loss of lives and damage to properties.
“Building collapse can be attributed to poor sub-standardized building materials which leads to structural defects, hence the need for the Construction Materials Standardization Agency.
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“The duties of the Agency includes but not limited to: enforcement of compliance with all legislations or regulations on the importation, production, distribution, storage, sale, use of substandard or hazardous construction materials and monitoring of construction projects to ensure strict adherence to regulations and standards set by the Agency and other relevant authorities.
“This will ensure that substandard building materials are not imported or produced in the country for building projects and that the building projects are closely monitored or supervised.
“Noteworthy is the fact that preventing haphazard development and substandard building construction is less expensive and more effective than the eventual demolition of such buildings.
“Mr. Speaker, my respected Colleagues, I would like to state that the construction industry plays a vital role in the National development of any country. The industry is noted to facilitate the economic growth of both developed and developing Countries and as such should not be jeopardized. This reiterates the need for an immediate intervention in the Construction Industry.
“The Construction Materials Standardization Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2021 seeks to establish the Construction Materials Standardization Agency as a specific body that will oversee the Construction Industry.
“Mr. Speaker, my respected Colleagues, I will like to emphasize that the Bill will also curb the increasing menace of building collapse which not only results in loss of lives and valuable properties but also affects the economy of Nigeria as a nation. I hereby urge my respected Colleagues to support that the Bill be Read for the second Time and referred to the relevant Committee for further Legislative action.”