……As Bldr Chijioke Okeke steps into leadership as 1st Vice Chairman South-East and South South Association of Builders in Private Practice
By Marietta Munachimso
The immediate past State Chairman of builders in private practice, Anambra State chapter, Bldr Chijioke Okeke has emerged 1st Vice Chairman of Builders in Private Practice, South-East and South-South Zone.
This announcement was made during the 54th Builders Conference / Annual General Meeting, AGM of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, held in Awka Wonderland from 20th to 24th August 2024.
It is common knowledge that the building profession plays a critical role in sustainable national development by influencing the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure that supports economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social well-being.
In view of the above mentioned reality, there is a compelling need for proper assessment of building professionals for engagement into sensitive positions that determine the quality of infrastructure that gets approval for both private and public use in every human enclave.
In this exclusive interview with the newly elected 1st Vice Chairman of Builders in Private Practice South-East / South-South chapter, Bldr. Chijioke Okeke, Citypost correspondent Marietta Munachimso unveiled the Man of the moment, detailing his achievements and vision for the future of building profession in his area of jurisdiction.
Q: What is the significance of NIOB AGM and role of the AGM in addressing the escalating incidents of building collapse across the country?
A: The NIOB AGM is a crucial convention of all the present and past leaders, as well as practicing and prospective members of the building profession in Nigeria, so you can imagine the magnitude of shared experience and information exchange that characterize a meeting of such nature which lasted for four eventful days.
It provides ample opportunity for critical stakeholders to highlight and proffer solutions to the numerous challenges facing effective housing and infrastructural development in the country. The AGM further encourages new inductees, while preparing their minds for both the challenges and prospects ahead of their building careers.
Consequently, the AGM also enhanced the revenue capacity of the state, considering the large number of visitors (AGM participants and guests) that trooped in and out of the state through road, air, booking hotel reservations, shopping at various locations within the Awka capital territory and beyond. It has equally opened up the state to lucrative investment opportunities given that the visitors obviously discovered new business ideas within this period.
Q: Briefly state what you can do differently in your capacity as the new Chairman for the South-East and South-South builders in private practice, in terns of intensifying the campaign for the prevention of building collapse, as well as engaging government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure adherence to best practices in the system.
A: You need to know that one cannot possibly be elevated from the state to the regional level by a reputable organization like NIOB without living up to expectations in the previous position. At the state level we took time to cross all the i’s and dot all the t’s when it comes to practical and credible leadership.
Personally I have visited 6 different states where I analyzed and made recommendations for sustainable approaches to issues concerning building collapse and other related lapses within this important sector of the human society.
I’m confident that my new position as the South-East / South-South Chairman of Builders in Private Practice, will trigger a remarkable improvement in addressing the menace of building collapse within the zone. This I intend to actualize by synergizing with the mother body NIOB and the policy makers in government institutions to ensure efficiency in housing delivery.
Q: Word of advice for the new inductees, in view of the challenges and prospects of the building profession in Nigeria.
A: I want them to know that the building profession is one of a kind that prides itself in the built environment, so they should be proud of making it to the point of this official induction, which will eventually launch them into the world of the prestigious building profession.
Further investigations revealed that most cases of building collapse recorded across the country today can be attributed to the continued neglect of professional builders. I can attest to this statement having visited a good number of sites where buildings failed across the country.
It is however important to note that the growing incidents of building collapse within the Southern region and Nigeria at large will be a thing of the past if government embraces and utilize the training and professional services of certified builders across the country.
The building profession practices are integral to sustainable national development, influencing economic growth, environmental conservation, social well-being, and technological advancement. By embracing sustainability in all aspects of their work, building professionals help lay the foundation for a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future.
I humbly wish to appreciate in a special way His Excellency Prof Chukwuma Soludo and Dr Onyeka Ibezim, the Governor of Anambra State and his deputy for deeming it necessary to establish the Building Construction and Maintenance Department in the Ministry of Housing, Anambra State.
Equally worthy of my esteemed gratitude is His Excellency Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, for his laudable efforts in championing the gradual and sustainable implementation of the National Building Code, in his capacity as a vibrant and resourceful player in infrastructural advancement of Ebonyi State, South-East, and Nigeria by extension.
The contributions of the Anambra State government at this time will not go unnoticed, considering its crucial importance in housing construction, supervision and professional delivery. I hereby urge the relevant government authorities to consider speedy implementation of the National Building Code, with a view to eradicating the ugly incidents of building collapse in Nigeria.
