By Uzair Adam
The Federal Government has vowed to take action against contractors involved in constructing substandard school buildings nationwide.
Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, announced this during a training session for the commission’s Department of Physical Planning staff.
The training, in collaboration with the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and Tectonics Engineering Group, focused on improving project quality through on-the-spot assessments.
Dr. Bobboyi emphasized that the UBEC would no longer tolerate poor project execution, reiterating the importance of providing a safe and conducive learning environment for children.
To ensure this, the commission plans to deploy monitors to inspect construction sites regularly, equipped with tools to assess material quality and compliance with design specifications.
The UBEC is working closely with NBRRI, led by Professor Samson Duna, and the Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) to ensure that the quality of school infrastructure meets the required standards.
Professor Duna highlighted the proactive measures being taken to prevent building collapses, particularly in school environments.
He stressed that contractors must adhere to specified material standards and that UBEC inspectors would be equipped to verify compliance on-site.
The initiative aims to safeguard the well-being of students and enhance the durability of educational facilities across the country.