The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Association of Nigeria (IRSDEAN) has called on the National Assembly to revive a bill aimed at criminalizing the production and distribution of substandard iron rods and other building materials in Nigeria.
The appeal follows a recent tragic building collapse in Abuja, which resulted in over 40 casualties.
Gbenga Awoyale, the National President of IRSDEAN, expressed his concerns in a statement to journalists in Ilorin. He urged the current administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to demonstrate a firm commitment to public safety by supporting the proposed legislation.
Awoyale criticized the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to sign the bill into law, linking this inaction to the persistence of building collapses across the country.
According to Awoyale, the lack of strong legal repercussions allows substandard products to continue flooding the market, posing a constant risk to lives and property. “The current legal framework has been ineffective, allowing manufacturers to bypass safety standards with impunity. It’s time for change,” Awoyale said.
He further highlighted that fines alone are insufficient to prevent the use of substandard materials in construction projects.
IRSDEAN is now urging the National Assembly to prioritize public safety by implementing criminal penalties for those found responsible for producing or distributing substandard building materials.
