The Managing Director of leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch has stated that construction is more than just a technical activity, adding that it is a responsibility that Julius Berger owes to society.
In his opening remarks at the one-day Construction Roundtable held at the company’s Excellence Centre in Abuja on Thursday, Lubasch said that, in delivering its contracts, the company believes and holds that every building, road, and bridge it constructs contributes to a shared story of growth, mobility, connection, and durability. At Julius Berger, he continued, we have always believed that construction is more than a technical activity; it is a responsibility to society.
In the building sector, Lubasch said, the company stands for lasting structures at premium quality. In a tacit reference to insinuations of high construction costs, the Managing Director said, such may be true, but when you consider the capital and operational expenditure involved, the buildings deliver true value across their entire life cycle.
Adding that, the cost of design and construction is only the beginning of the entire relationship, he underlined that what truly matters is how efficiently a building performs, how little maintenance it requires, and how long it stands the test of time. That’s why our designs focus on energy efficiency, durability, and sustainability; delivering buildings that serve generations, not just decades.
On the construction of roads and bridges, Lubasch recalled that Julius Berger means durability, adding, the company has built major arteries, not only in Abuja, but across Nigeria’s great cities.
Our structures endure decades because they are built with quality materials, sound engineering, and per international standards. We do not compromise. Our structures stand the test of time. And we continue to lead – driving innovation and transferring technology into Nigeria’s construction landscape, he declared.
Still on the building sector, he said the company has introduced insulated glazing, Evonig glass, through its subsidiary Abumet, in Abuja. Lubasch further said, And just recently, we installed the first fully prefabricated unitised curtain wall in Lagos, manufactured locally – a milestone for local content and innovation.
On the road sector, he recalled the recently introduced cold recycling technology, a method that is both environmentally friendly and highly economical for road reconstruction, further disclosing that this technology is aligned with international standards (the American AASHTO), designed for defined lifetimes, local soil conditions, and equivalent axle loads.
The Managing Director said, these are the innovations that move the industry forward, adding that they are proof that private ambition, guided by public vision, can deliver real, lasting impact.
Lubasch therefore tasked participants at the Roundtable event to reflect on the following striking questions:
- How do we build for the future, in a way that is durable and sustainable?
- How can we ensure that our investments today anticipate the needs of tomorrow?
- And how do we build cities that reflect not only our engineering expertise, but our shared values and aspirations?
Lubasch tasked all to leave the event with renewed commitment to building cities that truly serve people; cities that embody both private ambition and public vision; declaring that, together, we can build not only the cities we want, but the cities our future generations deserve – cities that are durable, lasting, sustainable, and full of promise.
In his presentation titled, The City We Build: Private Ambition, Public Vision, Julius Berger’s Regional Manager, Region Central and North, RCN, Engr. Oliver Berger took a deep look at pathways to a balanced Abuja, saying that such measures as dialogue and partnerships between the public and private sectors, incentivising sustainable future-fit designs, enforcing building standards with accountability, promoting innovative financing for green/smart developments, and capacity building by training professionals and regulators are urgently required sine qua non.
Earlier and while identifying key factors in the Abuja Built Environment, Oliver Berger said the developers, relevant public authorities, professionals and society majorly drive the built sector in the Territory. While the former drives investment, innovation and private ambition, the public authorities mainly regulate the environment.
Oliver Berger further identified the high concentration of estates that cluster in certain areas, low sustainability focus as per energy efficiency, and aspects of green building as important factors that have been neglected.
Drawing examples from Singapore estates with landscaped courtyards, the Regional Manager solicited for knowledge acquisition among others as necessary measures needed right now.
According to him, Abuja currently faces acute housing deficit as supply is not meeting demand, high land and bureaucracy costs, homes priced beyond the reach of average income earners, and limited access to affordable mortgages and rent-to-own options.
Other challenges currently being experienced in the FCT building and construction sectors, Oliver Berger also said, included: oversupply of high-end estates, meaning shortage of affordable housing, inconsistent enforcement of needed policies, insecurity issues that deter developers, infrastructure deficit in various areas and mismatch of supply and demand.
The engineer, therefore, challenged stakeholders to better the situation by ensuring durable and resilient housing by using quality climate-resistant materials, ensuring strong foundations and structures for longevity, as well as making designs that are adaptable to local weather and environmental risks.
He also called for affordable and attractive living as per housing models for different income levels, functional, yet aesthetic designs, flexible financing like rent-to-own, mortgages, and cooperative schemes, as well as mixed-use developments that provide for residential and commercial convenience.
Other measures recommended by Oliver Berger were smart urban planning with well-planned layouts comprising efficient road networks, integration of public corridors, dedicated green spaces, parks, recreation zones and walkability and pedestrian-friendly designs, including ensuring sustainable and global standards.
The interactive session was as educative as it was illuminating, as participants at the landmark event took turns to commend the initiative by Julius Berger, even as they shared their respective thoughts.
Apart from top management staff of Julius Berger Group, representatives of the FCT minister and the Executive Secretary, FCT, as well as industry moguls in the private sector graced the event.
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