Building Collapse: Senate rejects plan to return NIBRI to ministry

By Ihegazie Chidinma

To prevent incessant buildings collapse in the country, the Senate has kicked against a fresh legislative move to make the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology be in total control of the Nigerian Building Research Institute, NIBRI.

Speaking at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Senator Lilian Uche Ekwunife (PDP Anambra Central)

during the weekend in Abuja, President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, said it would be unfair to return the agency to the ministry.

The public hearing was on three proposed legislations which are  Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (Establishment) Bill; National Energy Sustainable Development Bill and the National Research and Innovation Control (Establishment) Bill.

Lawan, who was represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice (APC Ondo North) on the occasion, maintained that NIBRI has been freed from the control of the ministry.

He said: “I (Boroffice) joined the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2008 and I was the chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology from 2011 to 2019.

“I understand the anatomy of science and technology. The agency had been freed from the armpit of the ministry.

“One of the bills we are considering today is trying to bring it back to the ministry.

“It is unfair to bring the agency back under the total control of the ministry.

“The agency should be allowed to play their roles without the control. We are talking about innovation. How can we get innovation if the agency is not free.

“The ministry should be formulating policies. We are going to oppose any attempt to return the agency  back to the ministry.

“The Director General of the agency should also be challenged on the aspect of monitoring and supervision.

“You are not involved in the control of construction. It is only when there is a case of building collapse that NIBRI would be called upon.”

Lawan also tackled the agency in charge of development control by  accusing its officials of inefficiency.

He said: “The development control agency. I am sorry, I don’t think I support what you guys are doing.

“Your men only go to site and collect money. You don’t do any thorough work and I am going to take it up with you at the right time.

“You are supposed to go to site and take control. Your people only go there to collect money. Quote me. My name is Boroffice.

“I have a project I am executing and that is what the development control agency go there to do.

“We should allow the agencies to develop and carry out their mandates in the interest of Nigeria.”