NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
(Federal Ministry of Science and Technology)
SERVICOM CHARTER
Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute
No. 3 Gabes Street
Wuse Zone 2
Abuja
Tel. +2348030655540
Website: www.nbrri.gov.ng
SERVICOM CHARTER FOR NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
1. VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
VISION
To evolve and use a comprehensive and integrated
approach in appropriate technology development and
transfer, sustainable capacity building and investment
promotion so as to foster the application of environment-
friendly and energy-efficient innovative construction
materials, manufacturing technologies, and cost-effective
building and road construction practices which will
enhance job-creation, wealth generation and poverty
reduction as well as nurture the emergence of vibrant,
knowledge-based and highly competitive indigenous
construction companies capable of meeting global
standards.
MISSION
Integrated R&D, capacity building, and robust extension
services in which technological innovations and
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knowledge-based practices in the fields of building, road,
and engineering materials will be used to provide adequate
and affordable housing and road infrastructure as well as
increased economic empowerment
2. MANDATE/BUSINESS TRANSACTION
The areas of business transactions of NBRRI involve
conducting research and development activities into
the varied aspect of the construction industry. In
particular, the R&D focus will be on, amongst others,
the following:
(i) local building and construction materials to
determine the most effective and economic
methods of their utilization;
(ii) architectural design of buildings to suit Nigerian
climatic conditions with respect to lighting,
ventilation, thermal comfort and humidity;
(iii) the design and performance of functional units in
buildings including electrical installations,
plumbing, painting, drainage, ventilation and air-
conditioning system;
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(iv) local construction, foundation and earth-works
for buildings and bridges, especially on problem
soils;
(v) local construction and building operations and
methods, to increase their effectiveness;
(vi) the design and construction of roads best suited to
the Nigerian environment;
(vii) the economic and social aspects of the building
and construction industry;
(viii) road safety including the occurrence of accidents
and methods of reducing the number of
accidents;
(ix) the economic and social aspects of road and
transportation schemes, accidents and safety
measures;
(x) structural designs of buildings and bridges and
the development of design criteria, specifications
and codes of practice;
(xi) all classes of engineering materials – metals,
ceramics, polymers, etc., including the systems
for their conversion and processing, materials
production/synthesis, materials development,
materials availability, processing and
applications, materials failure analysis and
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prevention, corrosion protection and foundry
technology.
In addition, the Institute provides:
(a) consulting services relating to building, road and
engineering materials to individuals, public and
private organizations;
(b) specialist support services to medium and small
scale enterprises in the areas of training, testing
and evaluation of products, materials
characterization, materials selection
(specification), feasibility study, materials
information services, enhancement of product
quality and market potential.
3. STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING THE VISION
AND MISSION OBJECTIVES
To achieve the objectives embodied in the Vision and
Mission Statements of the Institute, the following strategies
will be employed:
(i). Initiate and recommend as the needs arise policy
changes to provide enabling environment for
optimal performance of the industry:
Stimulate and lobby Federal Government of Nigeria to:
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(a) commit certain percentage of Custom and Excise
duties on all imported building materials to support
Research and Promotion Activities
(b) grant Fiscal Incentives such as excise/custom duty
exemption, tax holiday etc., to manufacturers of
building materials for the production of local
building materials
(c) increase import duties on importation of building
materials that can be sourced locally
(ii). Pursue rigorous Extension Services
(a) Pursue sustained capacity building and skills
development through (i) training of unskilled
artisans/ craftsmen; (ii) backing up the production
of simple building components using local
resources; and (iii) collaborate national, state, and
local institutions to conduct periodic training and
orientation courses for professionals such as
Engineers, Architects, Town Planners, Contractors
and Construction Managers to create confidence in
the use of new materials and local technologies
(b) Provide technical support and advice to
entrepreneurs on technology selection and
application
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(c) Promote nationwide establishment of small scale
and village level construction materials Production
Units in rural areas
(d) Promote economy in construction cost through
introduction of improved tools, techniques and
practices
(e) Work with Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
in formulating standards for local Building
Materials.
(f) Persuade Federal Government of Nigeria to, as a
matter of policy, use and appeal to State/Local
Governments to adopt NBRRI technologies for
projects in rural areas.
(iii) Internal Reforms
(a) to restructure the Institute with a view to
making it efficient and each Department
more focused
(b) to infuse the different Departments
especially the Technical Departments with
experienced professionals capable of moving
NBRRI forward
(c) to develop knowledge-based organization in
which processes and procedures conform to
internationally accepted R&D best practices
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(d) to upgrade the Institute’s R&D
infrastructure so as to meet internationally
accepted standards
(e) to initiate and actively promote strong
linkages with relevant arms of Government,
cognate professional bodies, tertiary
institutions, etc.
(f) to pursue with vigour an internal policy of
gradually reducing dependence on
Government budgetary allocations for the
operations of the Institute.
(g) to pursue transparency and openness in all
NBRRI activities.
(h) to engage in energetic revenue generation
drive (including embarking on aggressive
promotion campaign to sell the Institute’s
marketable products)
(i) to vigorously pursue a policy of zero
corruption, indolence and other unethical
and/or unproductive practices/behaviours
(j) to enthrone and promote a transparent and
objective reward system in which
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hardworking staff will be identified and
adequately rewarded.
4. CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS
NBRRI renders services on all technical subjects
concerning the construction industry to all
stakeholders in the industry. These include the
following
(a) Professionals such as Builders, Architects Estate
Surveyors, Land Surveyors, Highway or Traffic