By Ella Anokam
Abuja – The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, says the Building Energy Efficiency Code (BEEC) will compliment the National Building Code, being reviewed according to world best practices.
Fashola said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the formal inauguration of the BEEC.
The BEEC was developed by the ministry with the support of Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) and jointly financed by the EU and German Government.
NESP is a 24.5 million Euro technical assistance programme to promote investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification.
Fashola noted that all the fundamentals of the code had been included in the revised building code which would be presented by 2017 ending.
According to the minister, the code has been given a requisite national concentration by being presented to the just concluded national council on housing for adoption by all the states.
“The code will complement the National Building Code, which is being revised according to the world best practices after being in operation for so many years.
“To make the construction of energy efficient buildings in Nigeria more achievable, the code focuses on low cost minimum energy efficiency requirements.
“The BEEC is expected to be adapted and implemented by state and local government authorities with the Department of Development Control Abuja as the first government establishment to adopt the code.
Others, he noted, were building energy labels and energy efficiency incentives, control and enforcement, qualification of experts and review of adaptation.
Dr Bernard Schlagheck, German Ambassador to Nigeria reiterated his country’s commitment to the cooperation between the two nations.
Schlagheck said the collaboration which started since 2002 on energy and sustainable development would continue to receive a boost in order to foster development in the country.
Also, Mr Jens Hoegel, EU Head of Cooperation, said the EU was satisfied with the collaboration having contributed 15 million Euro towards the funding of the NESP.
He said the crucial importance of the code was a follow-up to the Building Energy Efficiency Guidelines, inaugurated in June 2016.
Hoegel said it consisted of minimum energy efficiency requirements and verification methods, calculation methods and tools.
“Nigeria population is growing rapidly, so is the demand for housing and apartment.
“It provides architects, builders and engineers with minimum energy requirements for residential and office buildings in Nigeria,’’ he said. (NAN)
