THE ASSESSMENT OF BUILDER'S ROLE IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS IN NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Sustainable buildings in built environment require that the use of resources such as energy, water, and unwanted outputs such as greenhouse gases are minimized whilst maximizing the health and wellbeing of users and so as to mitigate the environmental impact of buildings. There is need for sustainable building practice in Nigeria as buildings generally show signs of poor design for ventilation, natural lighting, energy management, water management, waste management and other building services. Hence the aim of this research is to evaluate the perception of builders in relation to their competence in achieving sustainable buildings in Lagos state, Nigeria. Data were obtained using 90 copies of a structured questionnaire, administered through a random sampling technique to builders in Lagos state while the considered builders has been registered under NIOB or CORBON with sufficient experience in building projects and 63 questionnaires was retrieved.  The methods of data analysis were simple percentage, mean score, RII (Relative importance index). The findings of the research assess 10 specific roles of a builder was identified in the attainment of sustainable buildings. The average mean score of 4.32 indicates that the overall level of competence is moderate. This study also recommends that builders should be well acquainted with the roles they should play in main-streaming sustainability and considerations for builder’s involvement at the design stage and the demand for best buildings practices by government and professional practices. Finally the study highly recommends sustainable building be encouraged at all cost in Nigeria.