Former Senate President Pius Anyim has urged states to urgently domesticate national building regulatory laws for the effective regulation of construction activities across Nigeria.

Mr Anyim made the call on Saturday, in the backdrop of the Nigerian Institute of Building’s (NIOB) 55th Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abakaliki.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) stated that building regulatory laws provides the legal and institutional foundation to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable development.

“The building laws establish minimum standards for design, construction, and maintenance, while mandating professional responsibility and certification.

“The laws guard against quackery and unapproved construction while promoting urban order, environmental health, and disaster risk reduction,” he said.

Mr Anyim, who chaired the conference, said it was encouraging that some states had successfully domesticated the laws, thereby aligning local practice with national guidelines and international best standards.

“A number of states are still in the process of developing or adopting these essential laws, and this presents a significant gap.

“Enforcement becomes weak or inconsistent without domestication, and this results in building collapse, fire hazards, substandard infrastructure, and unchecked urban sprawl,” he said.

He expressed hope that the conference would advocate for complete domestication and effective enforcement of building regulatory laws across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Builders must not only be trained in compliance but must also be bold to demand its institutionalisation wherever it is present.

“This will surely safeguard lives, attract investments, and build a resilient Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Anyim commended the NIOB for advancing the conversation on building regulatory laws and thanked Governor Francis Nwifuru for hosting the conference.

“I urge stakeholders at the state and federal levels, professional bodies, development partners, and regulatory agencies to support the calls for stronger, enforceable building control systems across the federation.

“I also encourage the participants to seize the opportunity presented by the conference to gain insight, renew their professional vision, and be ready to enforce standards that ensure public trust,” Mr Anyim said.

(NAN)