The Oyo State government has urged the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON) to comply with the requirements stipulated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to prevent building collapse.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, at the inauguration of the newly elected state officers of the Association in Ibadan on Wednesday, noted that block moulders are critical stakeholders in construction works.
Olatunbosun stated that the Oyo State government has zero tolerance for building collapse, adding that block moulders are essential in the development of a state.
The Commissioner stated: “We identify with you, because we are aware that blocks are essential components in building, which if not professionally done to standard, could cause great havoc like building collapse.”
He said that it is imperative for the Association to strengthen the already existing relationship with the Oyo State Government, as challenges would be identified in the interest of the safety of lives and properties of residents in the state.
The Commissioner assured the association that the State Government will support members of the Association to boost their businesses.
Olatunbosun appealed to members of the association to ensure that their activities are properly regulated, as stipulated in the Building and Civil Engineering materials Law of the State Government.
Berating the high cost of materials such as cements, Olatunbosun called on the Federal Government to see to the high cost of cement, which in turn is affecting the standard of living of residents.
In his contribution, the National President of NABMON, Prince Adesegun Banjoko, bemoaned the rate at which building owners engage the services of quacks to mould blocks for them.
He stressed that such practice cannot guarantee quality as basic professional processes cannot be adhered to by the quacks.
The State Chairman of NABMON, Alhaji Kareem Adewale, enjoined the Oyo State Government to partner with the association in its sensitisation campaign, where members of the public would be enlightened on the dangers of patronising unapproved block moulding industries as well as the need to insist in quality blocks.
He said the Association is set to deal with errant members who fail to follow the guidelines given to them by Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in moulding quality blocks.