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By Victor Nwegede
In a decisive move to end incidents of building collapse across Ebonyi State, the state government has unveiled the Professionals Building Approval Compliance Form, a comprehensive regulatory tool designed to enforce adherence to best practices in the construction industry.
The initiative was formally presented in Abakaliki by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Development, Chief Sunday Elechi Inyima, who described the development as a significant step towards strengthening structural integrity within the state’s urban environment.
Inyima explained that the compliance form outlines the roles of six key professional groups including architects, civil/structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, builders, and town planners whose signatures are now mandatory for any building approval in the state.
According to him, the idea was conceived to harmonize professional inputs in construction and curb the recurrence of structural failures.
“We have come together to bring up an initiative that will bring to a final halt, or at least drastically reduce, the issue of building collapse within urban estates.
"Before now, we have been having building collapse within the state. Though it is not peculiar to Ebonyi State alone. It happens everywhere across the country and even globally," Inyima said.
The commissioner commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, describing him as “a builder who is doing exceptionally well in all sectors, including the built industry.”
He emphasized that the new compliance form would serve as a binding framework for all developers.
The unveiling ceremony drew a wide representation of professional bodies in the built environment, including architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, builders, and town planners.
Speaking on behalf of the Architectural Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and representing the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Ebonyi State Chapter, Architect John Nwakpu lauded the two pioneer developers including VicSunny Energy Limited and Ifeanyi Ereke (Ereke) for registering their projects in line with professional standards.
He urged other developers to follow suit.
“The developers should liaise with the professionals to know their requirements because these people have passed the exam.
"For you to start your design, you must fully be aware that ARCN is involved. Meet the professionals so that they will give you the requirements. It will save you the cost and stress of having your drawings rejected," he said.
Representing the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engineer Eni Enyinnaya emphasized that strict adherence to certified building designs would guarantee long-term durability of structures.
“When you go through this process, you will go to bed not thinking whether your project is going to fail.
“When you have the best hands that have gone through your building design proposals and certified it to be okay and you adhere to best practices during construction, your investment will stand the test of time," he said.
Enyinnaya further described the form as a “compendium of necessary professional engineers” whose collective input validates any construction design.
He stressed that with this system in place, building collapse in Ebonyi State would become “a thing of the past.”
He detailed the sequence of professional involvement beginning with the architect who provides the building concept, followed by the civil/structural engineer who ensures stability, and then the mechanical and electrical engineers who certify compliance with operational and safety standards.
On behalf of the Town Planning Council of Nigeria, Town Planner Ndefreke Etem, PRO of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Ebonyi State, confirmed that the pioneer developers met zoning and space requirements.
“Based on the space requirement and zoning regulations, we have assessed the form and found these developers to have met the requirements. We have put our signatures on it, and we say their development is good to go,” Etem said.
Also speaking, Builder Innocent Igbegube, representing both the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), said the compliance form ensures a holistic approach to project development.
According to him, “For every development, there is a need for all necessary professionals to come in and do their part to avoid the unforeseen.”
Our Correspondent reports that two developers including VicSunny Energy Limited and Ifeanyi Okereke were formally recognized as the first to meet all requirements set by the professionals, earning approval for their respective projects under the new compliance framework.
