Use of quacks rising in construction industry – COREN

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has raised an alarm over the increase in the use of quacks in the construction industry. Speaking during a press conference for the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly, yesterday, the President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said over 80 per cent of building collapses were contracted […]

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has raised an alarm over the increase in the use of quacks in the construction industry.

Speaking during a press conference for the 33rd COREN Engineering Assembly, yesterday, the President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said over 80 per cent of building collapses were contracted to quacks by developers due to lower price demanded for the job.

He added that the council has introduced several measures to ensure all building construction is awarded to qualified engineers who are licensed by the council.

He also announced plans to review payment for services to engineers during the assembly.

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“In the construction industry, we have seen a clear reduction of professionals that are licensed, getting involved in failed projects but we are seeing the rise of the engagement of quacks by developers or clients and the owners. 80% of the culpability is not with the registered professionals, but with quacks who developers or the clients are engaging because of low remuneration because they want to cut corners to use inferior materials, and the professionals will not accept that. So, they will disengage him and they will get a quack who is ready.”

While stating that the council has dragged quacks fingered in building collapse to the ICPC, he said the review of services payment in the sector is to help break the divide on payment between Nigerians and expatriates.