The Federal Government has announced its commitment to cracking down on contractors involved in the construction of substandard school buildings across Nigeria. This move is aimed at ensuring that school infrastructure is of high quality and safe for students.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), made this known during a training session for the commission's physical planning staff. The training focused on enhancing project quality delivery through the use of simple tools for on-the-spot assessments at construction sites.
Bobboyi emphasized the importance of quality in the construction of educational facilities, particularly for vulnerable children. He highlighted that UBEC would no longer tolerate poor workmanship in school building projects and warned contractors of the consequences of delivering substandard work.
To enforce this directive, UBEC plans to deploy monitors to various construction sites across the country. These monitors will be equipped with tools to assess the strength and quality of materials being used, ensuring they meet the required standards.
Bobboyi also stressed the collaboration between UBEC and key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). These organizations will be part of the monitoring teams to ensure that all school infrastructure projects adhere to the necessary specifications.
Professor Samson Duna, Director-General/CEO of NBRRI, also spoke at the event, praising UBEC's proactive steps to prevent building collapses, particularly in schools. He warned contractors to strictly follow the required specifications for construction materials, emphasizing that UBEC staff will be equipped with tools to inspect and verify the quality of materials used.
The government’s focus on improving the quality of school infrastructure aims to create safe and conducive learning environments for Nigerian children, while also holding contractors accountable for their work.
