As a way of checking dependence on foreign technology in the construction industry, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) on Friday marked its 40th anniversary with the commissioning of its head office and laboratory complex in Abuja.
Viewpoint Housing News reports that mainly local materials were deployed and utilized for the building project.
Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu who did the official cutting of the tape and unveiling of the commemorative stone heaped encomia on the Director General of NBRRI, Prof. Danladi Matawal saying, “I salute the dynamism of the NBRRI management and staff under the leadership of Prof. Danladi S. Matawal for their numerous achievements including ensuring the completion of this project ahead of schedule.”
The minister hoped that with the new building, “the institute will be reinvigorated to continue with the implementation of the laudable objectives for which it was established”.
Onu lamented that for long, Nigeria has been importing foreign technology to meet housing and civil construction needs.
“This has stifled the growth of skilled indigenous manpower and stunted the utilization of locally sourced materials and technologies.
“As a result, this has retarded economic growth and weakened our capacity to use our own raw materials to meet our development needs as a sovereign nation,” the minister observed.
Onu said NBRRI’s deployment and utilization of locally sourced pozzolans as replacement for cement in the road and housing construction is a clear indication that Nigeria’s journey to enduring self-reliance has begun.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice said with the new building and updated laboratories, the institute will do more research and build on what it has achieved.
The senator disclosed that the National Research and Innovation Bill 2016 has passed third reading, now awaiting presidential assent.
He said the president’s assent to the bill will improve national research and development financing requirements.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Science and Technology (FMST), Mr Bitrus Bako Nabasu lamented that for 40 years, NBRRI had been in rented apartment.
He however, expressed happiness that the institute’s research work has helped in tackling the “horrible situation” of building collapse in Nigeria.
“With commissioning of the administrative building, I’m confident that NBRRI staff will achieve more in their research work,” the Permanent Secretary noted.
The Director General of NBRRI, Prof. Matawal said the head office is designed to adequately meet accommodation needs of staff and open up opportunities for expansion.
NBRRI was established in 1977 to enforce research and development in buildings, roads and engineering materials.
