Builders want FG to enforce local content law

Heads of built environment regulatory agencies in Nigeria under the auspices of Forum of Regulatory Bodies of Built Environment in Nigeria (FORBBEN) have resolved to align towards uplifting professionalism and engage the Federal Government on the local contract law.

FORBBEN, consisting of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON); Estate Surveyors And Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON); Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC); and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); Council of Registered Builders Of Nigeria (CORBON); Council Of Registered Builders Of Nigeria (CORBON) and Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) met to discuss sundry issues confronting the real sector.

President of the forum, Arc. Dipo Ajayi, deplored lack of local content in projects, urged members of the group to work towards eliminating their differences and scaleup professionalism within the sector.

Ajayi also noted that no nation thrives mainly on importation of either the materials or the services, saying, it was high time they ensured the law on local content was implemented to the letter.

ARCON Registrar, Umar Murnai, called for the regulators to unite by constantly advising governments, enforce the content and spirit of the Local Content Act, and also appraise the younger colleagues on the need to always respect other professions.

Murtala M. Aliyu, President, QSRBN, advised that the forum should consider enforcement as a key issue and a visit to critical government officials.

Prof. Kabir Bala, Chairman of CORBON, charged members to remain professional. Ahmad Yabagi, who represented COREN President, urged the group to be in control of the local content statute and other laid down rules and regulations.

President, TOPREC, Isyaku Kura, noted that all professions in the country are presently bastardised.

Representative of ESVARBON’s chairman, Adamu Kasimu, advised on the enforcement of discipline among members of the regulatory bodies.

The Registrar and secretary of the forum, Bar. Ifeanyi Uzonwanne, advised on the need for regulatory bodies to have a firm control of registration of its members and the training and retraining of potential.