Following the collapse of a building at Aka Road, Uyo Akwa Ibom state, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) has disowned the suspected builder of the collapsed building, insisting that he is not one of their members.
The site Engineer, one Felix Anietie Udoh of Felixzity High Technology Limited who was recently arrested by the Anti-Robbery Squad of the Akwa Ibom state Command was said to have confessed not to be an Engineer but a builder.
Recall that on the 17th of September 2022, a four storey building situated at No. 3 Iman Street, behind Zenith bank off Aka Road, Uyo collapsed leading to the death of one favour Chukwuemeka Okoro 'm' while five persons were rescued.
However, CORBON in a statement upheld that following a thorough review of the register of builders in Nigeria, established pursuant to Sections 8 (1), (2) and 9 (1), (2) of the Builders Registration Act CAP B.13 LFN 2004, the name Felix Anietie Udo is NOT contained in the register of Builders, licensed to practice in Nigeria as of September 5, 2023.
According to them if the site engineer had been a builder based on his confessed to the Police Command he would he would have committed an offence under Section 19 (1) a and b which state as follows: Any person, not being a registered builder who for, or in expectation of reward, practices or holds himself out to practice as such; or without reasonable excuse, takes or uses any name, title, addition, or description implying that he is authorized by law to practice as a registered builder, commits an offence punishable under this Act.
The professional body further requested and urged that the said Felix Anietie Udo be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Builders Registration Act, saying they are willing to testify and support the prosecution of the suspect in every way possible.
They affirmed that without any fear of contradiction till date, no Builder has been involved in managing the production process of any collapsed building in Nigeria, thereby enjoining the members of the public to protect their investments and be discerning, by engaging only Registered Builders for production of building construction projects.
While disclosing plans to soon circulate publicly the list of Registered Builders, licensed to practice in Nigeria, the Council urged that enquires on Builders could be directed to it.
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