BIG 5 CONSTRUCT HOSTS THIRD EDITION IN LAGOS

The Big5 construct Nigeria

event held a three day exhibition recently at the landmark event centre in Lagos from the 5th- 7th of September, 2023. It was a gathering of the biggest stakeholders in the construction industry. 

With more than 500 exhibitors and participants, it brought together, players from every sector in the construction industry. Manufacturers, Architects, Builders, Salesmen and the general public.

In its third year of exhibition in Africa, the Big5 construct is not just a showcase of building designs and products but it is focused at injecting innovation, addressing problems and finding fast solutions to construction to the project industry.

Organized by DMG events, the vice president of the company, Ben Greenish spoke eloquently on the need for the event and being timely for the Nigerian market.

He said that building ventures are rapidly taking over the world, so the bringing together of experts and professionals to share their expertise experience was crucial. He emphasized on the need for infrastructural development because even when there is financial, economic or situational insecurity, building will still be a continuous trend. Schools, housing, railways, roads, hospitals will always be built and so, it is a viable industry.

He further stressed that Nigeria is a huge market in construction, worth well over $120million per annum, so it is also profitable. 

The construction industry is also a huge employer of labour from the professionals to casual workers so the exhibition was a one stop place for exchange of ideas, business development and getting professional ideas.

The event was not only a fair for manufacturers and professionals to parley, but there were talks that were highly informative and educating regarding construction in every ramification.

Key players in the industry attended and gave insightful talks into the development, the future and the perks of the construction industry.

Arc. Taiwo Aiyepe of the Lagos State Ministry Of Works and Infrastructure, gave one of the leading talks on Designing in Tropical Climates. This was about the right climatic conditions for building in Nigeria especially and basics to be put into consideration.

Speaking more, Arc. Taiwo Aiyepe advocated for the use of appropriate building tools amongst professionals. He said building materials, could be sourced locally or internationally but all have to meet a standard of quality. He harped on the need for professionals to be used in construction to avert mishaps. He commended the exhibition saying that foreign and local collaborations should be fostered to make good symbiotic work relationships for development and upscaling of ideas.

Also at the event was Arc. Patrick Ogunleye, a consultant architect with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and project architect at the Federal Ministry Of Works.

Arc. Ogunleye talked on the professionals doing the right thing for innovation and avoid sharp practices to make profits, as this has taken the construction industry backward.

He said that the government is yet to wake up to the realities and take definitive steps to curb the menace. He said that the governmental policies on construction might be hectic but the implementation of the policies is what is needed to create the right balance in the industry.

He decried the use of non professionals for jobs and also noted that because people want to avoid paying for value, some of the professionals have delved into other branches of construction to make ends meet.

He also urged the government and all stakeholders to embrace technology as it is what will improve standards, get the right data for quality modern trends and make positive impact on the environment. This he said, is what puts foreign counterparts ahead in the industry.

The Big 5 Construct event covers project management, technology, architecture and design and also facilities management.