Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has approved the establishment of the Building Control Department within the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the building profession and prevent building collapses in the state.
Ekiti News reports that Rt Hon. Karounwi Oladapo, the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, announced this during a meeting with representatives of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Builders in Ado Ekiti.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olajide Borode, who received the team on behalf of the commissioner, praised the Governor’s initiatives to revitalize the building sector.
Highlighting the importance of adhering to building regulations, he cautioned property developers against violating such regulations throughout the state.
The Commissioner mentioned that the Ministry has been actively monitoring buildings to curb the use of substandard materials and prevent the construction of buildings in areas prone to flooding, setbacks to roads, and under power lines.
He advised prospective property developers to obtain approval from relevant government agencies before commencing any building project, noting that a new law prohibits non-architects and non-engineers from designing and constructing buildings with more than one floor.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Ministry would not hesitate to demolish any structure erected without adhering to building regulations to prevent potential hazards.
Rt. Hon. Karounwi reiterated the government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for citizens’ well-being.
Regarding collaboration between the Ministry and the Institute, the Commissioner assured the team that the Ministry would always accommodate their students for industrial training.
The President of the Institute, Mr. Gbenga Aladetuyi, called for collaboration in properly monitoring buildings to prevent further instances of building collapses in the state. He also requested that students from the institute be absorbed for practical training within the Ministry.