By Mimidoo Patrick
Chairman of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) William Wadni has urged the federal government to provide adequate funding for the institute to enhance research and development in the building industry of the country.
Wadni, who made the call on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of NIBRRI, 2019 international conference series in Abuja, noted that NIBRRI needs more funding to reposition the sector for effective performance.
He said, “Let me use this medium to call on the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to continue to provide adequate funding to the institute in order for research and development to strive which will in turn add to the growth and development of our dear country”
He added, “There is need to strengthen the staff of NBRRI to employ more research officers to various departments of building, road engineering materials towards enhancing qualitative research that is needed in the building industry.
The chairman urged state governments, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to partner with the institute towards achieving affordable housing and durable roads in Nigeria.
He pledged continuous support to the management of the institute towards achieving its set goal in transforming the sector into a global standards.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Brutus Bako Nabasu urged the forum to come up with ideas that would address the challenges facing the industry.
Nabasu said, “I am confident that this conference will process a roadmap for the construction and building industry especially with the quality of experts who are gathered here to brainstorm on the way forward.
“I want to also use this opportunity to urge NBRRI not to rest on its oars but strive harder towards addressing other critical issues that are begging for solution in the built environment of the Nigerian economy.”
He commended the management of the institute for the effort it is making to reposition the industry in-line with international standards.
Earlier, the Acting Director General of NBRRI, Pof. Samson Duna said the conference is aimed at proffering solutions to contemporary issues in the construction industry towards an improved local content and competitive edge in line with global best practices.
Duna said, “The construction industry is greatly influenced by multi-dimensional issues which include: policies, ethics and standards of practice, infrastructure collapse, procurement processes, project financing issues, research and development, maintenance practices and culture in construction industry.”
The three-day conference has the theme, Construction Practices in Nigeria: Issues, Prospects and Solutions.
Sub-themes include: Policies, ethics and standard practice in construction industry, construction industry development, infrastructure collapse and unethical practices in the industry, procurement processes and challenges in the construction industry.
