The Impact of Son on Production and Consumption of Building Materials in Nigeria.

The research investigated the impact of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) on production and consumption of building materials in Nigeria. Relevant books, seminar papers, workshop papers, articles, etc. were reviewed so as to examine the general view of individuals that have worked on similar study. Data for the study were obtained through well-structured questionnaires administered to building professionals in Nigeria and historical data of past building collapse in Nigeria were also collected. The data were presented and analyzed using tables, percentiles, bar graphs, relative index ranking, Pearson moment correlation coefficient (r), linear regression analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test statistics. Eighty-six (86) questionnaires were analyzed and data of buildings that collapsed in the country were gathered, upon which the analysis was carried out. The study confirmed that poor quality of materials and workmanship contributed to more than 50% of building collapse in Nigeria. However, it also revealed that the quality of materials and workmanship in Nigerian building industry is not satisfactory and that the problem lies in the use of inappropriate materials supplied to site, inadequate materials and inefficient supervision of workmen. The study finally concluded that failure to carry out necessary tests/inspections on structural building materials has a moderate and positive effect on building collapse while that of quality of materials and workmanship has a very high and positive effect on building collapse in Nigeria. The study finally recommended that Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should increase their effort in sanitizing building materials in the market. More so, construction professionals should ensure proper supervision of workmen and efficient checking of materials before incorporation into building works.