Experts Urge Bricklayers to Embrace Technology
In response to the evolving demands of the construction industry, housing experts have stressed the imperative for bricklayers to embrace modern technologies, enhance construction quality, and ensure robust quality assurance measures. The discourse unfolded at the 2023 Lagos State Bricklayers Association (LSBA) yearly general meeting themed “Traditional Masonry Techniques and Advancing Building Technology.”
Kunle Awobodu, a past President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and lead speaker at the forum, highlighted the substantial difference between structures built using new technologies and those relying on traditional construction methods. Encouraging bricklayers to adopt contemporary construction techniques, Awobodu emphasized the importance of capacity development programs to enhance professional competence.
Awobodu asserted that bricklaying is a vital trade with societal significance, urging the encouragement of youth involvement in the field as a respectable alternative to internet fraud. He emphasized the potential for bricklayers to transform the perception of their profession by contributing to high-quality construction projects.
Dr. Emmanuel Aladeloba, former Head of the Building Department at Yaba College of Technology, commended Dangote Cement Plc for its commitment to artisan training, foreseeing a positive impact on the capabilities of building artisans. Aladeloba underscored the importance of honesty, transparency, and adherence to proper measurements and materials for artisans working on sites without constant supervision.
Cautioning against accepting low pay that might lead to substandard construction, Aladeloba emphasized that the credibility of a bricklayer is validated when the structures they build endure without cracking or collapsing over time. He shared insights on the automation of site operations through new technologies, making construction processes more efficient.
To further professionalize the field, Aladeloba recommended cadre grading based on experience, advocating for a pay structure that reflects the skill and expertise of bricklayers. LSBA President Taye Dauda expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for its ongoing training initiatives and pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to prevent building collapses and safeguard lives and property in Lagos State.
