Abia in Danger: 90% of Buildings Handled by Quacks, Builders Warn

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has sounded a serious warning over the increasing role of unqualified individuals in construction activities across Abia State, attributing the spate of building collapses to the dominance of unlicensed practitioners on construction sites.

According to reports from iReporter Online, officials of the NIOB raised the concern during a press briefing held on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia. The professional body claimed that as many as 90 out of every 100 buildings in the state are managed by individuals who lack the necessary registration or qualifications to oversee construction projects.

Speaking at the event, the Abia State Chairman of the NIOB, Chinedu Nwanosike, joined by the Practice Committee Chairman, Wisdom Okoro, and National Registrar, John Ugwoeri, emphasized the urgent need for strict enforcement of professional standards to prevent further tragedies.

They linked recent structural failures—including two separate building collapses recorded within eight days at the Low Cost Housing Estate in Umuahia and the World Bank Housing Estate in Aba—to the growing trend of engaging unqualified builders, describing it as a clear and present danger to public safety.

“If you examine 100 buildings in Abia, not more than 10 are being handled by qualified builders,” Nwanosike stated, decrying what he described as widespread negligence by both developers and authorities.

The group called for full adoption and implementation of the National Building Code, which was developed to promote professional standards and accountability in the construction industry. They also insisted that the role of the Town Planning Authority must go beyond issuing approvals to enforcing strict on-site supervision and ensuring only certified builders are engaged.

NIOB further urged residents and developers in Abia to reject quack operators and prioritize safety by hiring only registered professionals.