By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State government has announced its commitment to partnering with organisations, relevant professional bodies, and other stakeholders to regulate building construction in the state, aiming to prevent the frequent building collapses experienced in other parts of the federation.

The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbenga Olaniyi, made this statement while hosting the Executive of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Ondo State Chapter.

He affirmed that the Aiyedatiwa-led administration would not leave any stone unturned in addressing the issue of building collapses in the state.

Olaniyi urged the leadership and members of the Institute to continue collaborating with the Ministry to ensure successful physical and urban development of towns and cities in the state, as well as to support the urban renewal agenda of the current administration.

While calling on the Executive to eliminate quacks among its members, the Commissioner assured them that the Ministry would leverage their expertise to regulate the activities of building contractors, ensuring constructions adhere to specifications and best global practices.

Earlier, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Institute, Adetunji Bello, expressed the body’s readiness to work with the Ministry to prevent lapses that could lead to building collapses in the state.

Bello criticised the construction of buildings without escape routes for unforeseen events and mentioned that the Institute is now issuing registration numbers to its members to address the issue of quacks.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Bunmi Alade, praised the collaboration between the Institute and the Ministry in regulating building contractor activities and issuing construction approvals.

Chief Alade called for greater cooperation, particularly with the newly created Building Control Department, which is mandated to monitor and enforce compliance with approved specifications from foundation to completion.