The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CONSTRUCTION

  • Economic downturn: 60,000 construction workers sacked

    Economic downturn: 60,000 construction workers sacked

    No  fewer than 60,000  construction workers have lost their jobs in the last four months, the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) has said.

    The union’s President, Comrade Amechi Asugwuni, blamed  the development on the country’s economic downturn.

    He described the development as a minus to the country’s quest to create jobs, grow the economy and add value to people’s lives.

    Asugwuni deplored the infrastructural deficit in the country, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to address the problem and other social vices to reduce poverty, joblessness and insecurity.

    “The economy is slowing, and promised infrastructural reforms are taking too long to implement, as over 60,000 of our workers have lost their jobs as a result of infrastructural deficit in the last four months,” he said.

    The union called on the Federal Government to unfold its blueprint on infrastructural reforms to accelerate economic growth.

    Asugwuni said there was no way the government could create jobs without focussing on infrastructural development.

    His words: “We have not seen the blueprint of the government on infrastructure, but we want to urge the Federal and the state government to channel the same effort used in fighting corruption into infrastructural development.

    “We believe that Buhari would re-activate all uncompleted projects. The target of any government will not just be on construction of roads, it would be on the development of every other sector of the country.

    ”As a result of the lapses observed in contract awards and execution by previous governments, we are calling on President Buhari to constitute a monitoring committee to check anti-labour practices by employers and poor execution of contracts.”

    To tackle the nation’s economic problems, the union suggested jobs creation through infrastructural development; re-activation of on-going projects to stimulate employment and extensive rail/road networks construction, among others.

    Asugwuni noted that the Ministry of Labour has not been effective, calling on President Buhari to monitor the ministry.

  • Construction lifts GDP by 3.2 %

    The Chief Executive Officer, InstinctWave, Mr. Akin Naphtal, has said the nation’s construction industry contributes about 3.2 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    This contribution, he noted, cannot be neglected because it has become a veritable index in terms of employment generation for both skilled and unskilled manpower.

    This, Napthal  said, is an indication that construction industry has seen considerable growth, especially considering its 1.3 per cent growth in 2012. This development has made the industry to be recognised as Africa’s sector largest market which is also expected to grow at the fastest rate in the world through 2020. Factors such as a growing population, rapid urbanisation and rising demand for housing and infrastructure, were identified for this development.

    But, laudable as this feat is,  players in the sector have not been adequately recognised for the role they play in the development of the industry, in spite of their creativity and innovativeness.

    Now, after successfully holding similar awards in Ghana- the MarketingWorld Awards and Africa Brand Conferences, InstinctWave, the publisher of InstinctBusiness magazine, is set to honour Nigerian operators in the construction sector for their contributions to the sector in the maiden edition of the Nigeria Construction Awards 2015.

    According to him, the awards, slated for November 20 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, is to recognise and honour companies and individuals for their accomplishments and contribution to the growth of the industry.

    “The construction industry plays an important role in economic growth. However, the industry has been overlooked in terms of rewarding innovation and creativity. Our goal is to celebrate the achievements of those construction companies and individuals who have made it their responsibility to transform this industry and advance the country’s infrastructure development,” he said. He hoped that the awards ceremony would present an opportunity for stakeholders to advocate for the industrialisation of the country by way of investment in the area of civil engineering, building, industrial, residential construction and beautification.

    Napthal assured that the awards ceremony will not be just another networking opportunity for participants, but one that would allow companies and individuals a platform to tell their success stories and accomplishments while opening windows for  synergies in the sector.

    Various categories of awards are being considered for different aspects of construction work, companies and individuals including Construction CEO of the Year; Industry Personality of the Year;  Lifetime Achievement Award;  Excellence Award for Women in Construction; Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Infrastructure Development Bank Award; Construction Company of the Year; Public Private Partnership of the Year; Best Local Contractor; Concrete Producer of the Year; Block Manufacturing Company of the Year, etc.

  • Fight corruption in construction industry’

    Members of the Southwest chapter of the National Association of Quantity Surveying Students (NAQSS) have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fight graft in the construction industry.

    They made the call at the end of the association’s congress at The Polytechnic, Ibadan (IBADAN POLY).

    In a statement signed by their President, Eniola Ayodele, and other officers of the association, the students hailed the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) for its effort to protect the ethical standards in industry.

    The statement reads: “It is imperative that quantity surveyors are engaged to monitor implementation of contracts from the procurement stage to the completion stage in the ministries and agencies if the government must fight corruption in building industry. This is why we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to engage building professionals in the fight against corruption in the construction industry.”

    The students urged quantity surveyors to stem the rate of building collapse in the country, lamenting that lives were being lost through the incidents. The association said it was concerned about the state of infrastructure and cases of abandoned projects.

    The students expressed displeasure on what they called poor standard in  quantity surveying teaching in higher institutions, saying students must be equipped with practical knowledge and research.

    The statement added: “We call for review of curriculum used in teaching quantity surveying in higher institution. Teaching must focus on building manpower for construction industry using innovation and modern, tools that will enhance prestige of the profession. It is important quantity surveying students are given the opportunity to engage and compete favourably with their counterparts worldwide. We, therefore, demand change of syllabus and access to grants to aid research works that will benefit students and lecturers.”

  • ‘Construction industry not regulated’

    The construction industry needs better regulation to prevent building collapse, an expert, Mr. Shola Sunny, has said.

    People who have no knowledge of civil engineering, he said, claimed to be building contractors and handle projects that could be structurally defective.

    Sunny, a partner at SOP and Co Consultants, a construction company, spoke when the firm was given the ISSO certification.

    He said: “People go into construction because of the money they want to make; they forget what they need to do.  A lot of people who are not qualified are doing construction in the country; the industry is not properly regulated, anybody can decide to be a building contractor.

    “Clients are also not helping matters because they want to achieve much with so little. They try to find ways to cut corners, but building is not something that you cut corners, particularly in the structure because the structure is what carries the building and if not properly done, it would cause disaster in future.

    “You may not enjoy the building for the life span which if properly done should be between 30-50 years. In the United Kingdom and other countries, we have building standing up to 100 years because they were well built,” he said.

    Sunny said the certification would spur the organisation to higher goals.

    “The certification puts more demand on you. You have to continue what you have been doing, do more and ensure that you continue to excel and get better for the company and for every individual that is involved.”

    He assured that his organisation would keep the standard since it entered the business voluntarily.

    “There is nothing good that comes easy. You need a lot of effort, dedication and commitment to continue to strive to be better and I believe that we would be able to do it.

    “ISSO certification makes sure that you keep the quality of your service and do things consistently and with that, you are sure of getting consistent good result. ISSO helps you to ensure that you keep the quality going and to ensure that you keep improving because the certificate can be withdrawn, if the quality drops,” he said.

  • Edo aids affected victims of construction at gully site

    The Edo State government has begun the payment of compensation to persons affected by the construction at the gully erosion sites in the state.

    Work is going on at gully erosion sites in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area; Ekehuan, Oredo Local Government Area and Ogbeson in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

    The payment of the compensation is in compliance with World Bank guidelines on such assisted projects, which require that compensation be borne by state governments through their counterpart funds.

    Addressing residents at a ceremony in Auchi, Project Coordinator, Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) John Adisa said the compensation was being paid to 121 Project-Affected Persons and not to those who lost their property before the reclamation work.

    Adisa said the beneficiaries were those affected by the operations of the contractor.

    He said more money was being expected from the World Bank for other residents affected by the gully.

    The coordinator added that there were plans to involve other members of the community affected by the erosion through a remediation programme.

    Social Livelihoods Officer of Edo NEWMAP Chris Abode noted that while some other member-states of NEWMAP were still struggling to pay their counterpart fund, Edo was ahead in its counterpart fund obligation.

    The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Alieru Momoh, hailed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for  ensuring that those affected by the construction at the gully erosion site were compensated.

    The monarch urged the beneficiaries to spend the funds wisely.

    The state government, early this year, approved over N1 billion as counterpart fund for the implementation of NEWMAP intervention in gully erosion sites across the state.

    About N497 million is being expended on compensation in Auchi gully site as approved by the World Bank. A similar exercise was done at the Ekehuan gully site while another payment will be held at the Queen Ede gully site.

     

  • ‘8,500 construction workers lost jobs’

    Over 8,500 workers in the construction sector lost their jobs last year due to non-payment of funds to contractors handling various jobs for the Federal Government, the National President, Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), Dr. Augustine Etafo has said.

    He also expressed fears that more jobs are likely to be lost this year because there was no budgetary provisions for the execution of projects this year, putting contractors and workers in a dangerous position.

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, he lamented that the development was counter-productive to the growth of the nation’s economy. He urged the Federal Government to live up to its responsibilities by paying contractors as at when due so as to save the sector from collapse.

    While expressing hope that the construction sector local content bill at the National Assembly would bring renewed hope for the construction sector when passed into law, he charged the management of two cement companies, Lafarge and Holcim to ensure that the  welfare of workers are protected as the companies plan to merge.

    He tasked the companies to guarantee that all collective agreements reached are honoured, adding that  the companies must also commit to maintaining global level social dialogue that Lafarge previously participated in with unions.

    In a related development, CCESSA has urged the Federal Government to fulfil the agreement reached with companies in the construction industry.

    Etafo, who made the appeal, told newsmen in Lagos that the industry may have more job losses this year as uncertainties surround the Federal Government implementation of austerity measures.

    He said: “We call on the three tiers of government, especially the Federal, the state and local governments to fulfil their agreement reached with companies in the construction industry as over 8,500 workers in the sector lost their jobs in 2014 due to non-payment of funds to contractors handling various jobs for the Federal Government.”

  • Mimiko inaugurates N1.6b Shoprite Mall’s construction

    Mimiko inaugurates N1.6b Shoprite Mall’s construction

    Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has inaugurated the construction of a N1.651 billion Shoprite Shopping mall and car park under the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    The projects scheduled to be completed in 15 months, are located within the state-owned Owena Motels, Akure and close to the state’s multibillion naira event centre popularly called ‘Dome’ project.

    Mimiko at the ceremony attended by top government officials, proprietors of the company, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, said the concept is to transform Akure into a Modern Retail Shopping City and an entertainment hub for the state and its environ.

    He said while in the process, the project would create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and graduates, and also for farmers and artisans which would therefore boost revenue generation for the state.

    “Having this shopping mall here will make it easier for retail businesses in our state to thrive, expand and discourage adulteration as well as excessive spending on transportation and storage. This project has the capacity to serve as a true beacon of hope for everyone in Ondo State and it deserves to succeed. I am confident that with Top Services Nigeria Limited on board, our collective responsibilities will be met and our collective aspirations achieved,” he said.

    The governor said the project when completed, would not only ensure the steady supply of genuine and affordable goods and services, but would also make Akure a commercial hub.

  • Unknown persons demolish Anglican Church

    Unknown persons on Monday demolished Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyolu-Oze, 3-3, Nkwelle Ezunanka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Although the Nkwelle Ezunanka community denied knowledge of the action, the Anglican Church accused the community of masterminding the demolition.

    It cited the crisis between the church and the community, which has lasted for over a decade, as the cause of the action.

    The Nation learnt that the building was under construction.

    A source said the multimillion naira project was nearing completion before it was pulled down at midnight on Monday.

    The Anglican Archdeacon in charge of the building project, Venerable Frank Obi, accused the President- General of Nkwelle Ezunaka, Elder Chris Eluemuno, of being responsible for the demolition.

    He described the incident as ungodly and urged the Anambra State government to intervene.

    But Eluemuno denied the involvement of the community in the demolition.

  • Residents call for construction of drainage

    Residents of Dutse and Kubwa in Bwari Area Council have urged the council authorities to construct drainage system by the sides of the various roads constructed in the area to avoid flood washing off the newly constructed roads.

    They noted that erosion which causes damage to some of these roads, has become a common trend in some of the communities, even as they attributed the phenomenon to lack of drainage systems.

    “The road at the All Saints Catholic Church, Dutse where I am staying is about to collapse because of erosion. Vehicular movement has become difficult around that area,” Ejike Ugbo, a resident of Dutse said.

    Also speaking, Kenneth Igor, a resident of Kubwa complained that roads leading to various places in the town have been left at the mercy of flood. He called on the area council to expedite action on construction of drainage system before the road would become worse.

    “It is better to solve the problem now before it gets out of hand or difficult to remedy. I think the rain has been heavy this year and it has been the cause of this problem. I have never experienced a case like this before,” he said.

    Igor further said there was need for residents to avoid activities that would block the drainage which he said was one of the reasons for flooding, adding that the authorities should also embark on clearing of drainage in order to reduce the problem.

    “I know that most roads around this area have no drainage systems. It is very important that drainage systems are constructed. The residents are also to blame because sometimes, they pour household wastes into the existing ones, thereby blocking them. We should learn to avoid that. It is very important. Drainage systems are not waste dumps,” he said.

  • Reps recommend 42.5mpa grade cement for construction in the country

    To achieve standard construction works in the country, the 42.5mpa grade cement should be used, the House of Representatives recommended yesterday.

    According to the House, the reason for adopting the 42.5mpa grade is because there is no building code hence 90 per cent of construction work in the country is undertaken by non-professionals, majority of whom are quacks.

    “It will serve the national interest better to adopt a particular cement grade which is less susceptible to misapplication as the standard cement in the country,” the lawmakers said, adding that “most stakeholders will prefer it if given the chance to choose between 32.5mpa and 42.5mpa.”

    The recommendation of the House was sequel to the adopting of the recommendations of the report of Hon. Yakubu Dogara- led ad hoc committee on Composition and Pigmentation of Cement (Cement Quality) which investigated the incidence of collapsed buildings in the country.

    Lawmakers also recommended the quick passage of the National building Code Bill to check quackery, use of substandard building materials and also to serve as a tool for the regulation of the informal downstream sector of the construction industry.

    The House also recommended that Standard Organisations of Nigeria (SON’s) governing council should ensure that all cement manufacturers in Nigeria retool and upgrade their production lines to start producing the 42.5mpa grade within a reasonable time considering the cost of social dislocation.

    They further recommended that the government should create a cement fund from contributions of N10 per 50kg bag of cement produced in Nigeria and N20 only per 50kg of cement imported into Nigeria for the establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories in all the geo-political zones within the period of three years.

    The fund, they said, should be managed by a task force to be set up by SON, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).

    The lawmakers said: “All cement packages must clearly and boldly indicate their grades, uses and expiry dates with tamper proofing on the packages to guard against repackaging by middlemen; SON should ensure that all cement distributions withdraw expired cement from their warehouses and markets and destroy them, “

    They asked that the Federal Government set up a National Quality Assurance Programme, using designated agencies and some professional bodies to regularly test samples of  cement produced before they are sold in the open market.

    Part of the House’s 12-point recommendations was that government “ should take immediate steps to establish a cement and concrete institute, as is the case in many jurisdictions,” and that “government should also revive all technical schools across the country and establish new ones to improve on the pool of qualified artisans and generate skilled as well semi-skilled labour.”