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1.0 PREAMBLE Housing is a significant component of creating stable and healthy communities. Apart from being one of the items that absorb a large portion of household expenses, housing plays a unique role in most societies’ social, political, and economic discourses.  The Nigeria National Housing Policy defines ‘Housing’ as the process of providing functional shelter in a proper setting in a neighbourhood, supported by sustainable maintenance of the built environment for the day-to-day living and activities of individuals and families within the communities. Quite fundamental to attaining affordable housing goals in any nation is for stable housing policy, the presence of a political will, and proper implementation of sustainable housing policies.    Moreover, a country must have a stable macroeconomic environment to meet its affordable housing expectations. Nigeria’s situation has risen due to high inflation and nominal interest rates. Not only does a volatile economy like Nigeria reduce the affordability of mortgages, but it also affects the supply of funds and the types of mortgages offered by lenders. In a volatile economic environment, lenders are more concerned about liquidity risk and are reluctant to provide long-term loans. Arguably, the volatility of the Nigerian economy affects the supply of funds available to house developers, and this inhibits the growth of the housing sector. Lenders are often concerned about liquidity risk and reluctant to offer long-term loans.   Over the years, construction costs have risen due to the relentless inflationary pressure on building materials and increased demand for labour. Discontinuity of the previous government policies on affordable housing has also not helped matters. The challenges associated with securing and perfecting land titles have also militated against the delivery of efficient and sustainable housing in Nigeria. However, one of the continuing challenges posed by unprecedented urbanization in developing countries is the provision of adequate housing. Over the last three decades, Nigeria, like several developing countries, has emphasized public housing schemes but with little success, coinciding with the global paradigm shift from direct public housing provision to the enablement of private shelter initiatives and housing production. Today, the central aspect of Building is urbanization- Industries, markets, Plazas, etc., those places need houses to accommodate them. The economic situation facing citizens in the country makes it impossible for the greater percentage to have their own housing units, thereby requiring the government to develop more housing units/ estates.   To achieve these housing needs, the services of professionals are inevitable. Although professionals have always been involved in Housing Development, their roles and functions are often blurred during practice. They do not concentrate on their specific areas of Specialization, thereby veering into quackery, and as such, the need for the Enhancement of Ethical Conduct and Professionalism.   It is however to be noted that Professionals play an essential role in developing any economy through designing, constructing, and developing Infrastructures and Industrial Systems. Consequently, the activities of the built environment professionals greatly impact the environment and the people’s quality of life, health, and safety.   Good Housing Development requires that every professional has the platform to display their professional acumen from inception to completion based on roles explicitly analyzed in the enabling Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vis-à-vis various Professionals (Establishment, etc.) Acts. These should also, in addition, be in reference and adherence to the provisions of the National Building Code as developed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria to enhance individual professional responsibilities. The professionals/ stakeholders involved in housing development, to mention a few, are the Architects, the Builders, the Land Surveyors , the Engineers , the Town Planner, the Quantity Surveyor, and the Estate Surveyor & Valuers .   2.0 THE ROLES OF PROFESSIONALS IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT   (1) The Land Surveyor: the government’s authorized expert licensed to determine boundaries and the custodian of land information. He has the preconstruction responsibility of determining size, topography, location, and features on and beneath the land upon which developments occur. In the construction phase, surveying commences with the correct placement of footings, foundations, and other building items, which is essential for a sound structure. He establishes the proposed construction level and a benchmark used as a reference point through the construction phase. However, it is sad to note that this last role is often neglected in Nigeria.   (2) The Town Planner: The town planner prepares the master plan of an area and is responsible for the site’s developmental layout and orderliness, which shows the various land use therein. The Town planner creates harmony in the environment, showing roads, open spaces, schools, hospitals, and health centres. He approves the building drawing submitted by the architect, heralding the building project’s commencement (Akomolede, 2016).   (3) The Architect: translates the developer’s or client’s dream into a drawing that will form the basis of subsequent activities. The architect prepares the Architectural Working Drawings, which form the basis for the actual construction and a benchmark against which the final output is measured.   (4) The Engineer: prepares his designs based on the architectural drawings. These designs include structural, electrical & mechanical (services designs). Engineers such as geotechnical, structural, electrical, and mechanical conduct analyses and calculations before arriving at the optimal design solution for a specific building project. Like the architects, the engineers should visit the site periodically for inspections to ensure that the work to be executed complies with their engineering drawings, schedules, and specifications. They are also responsible for modifications and re-design if the need arises. The engineer is to inspect the quality and size of reinforcement before use to avoid building collapse.   (5) The Quantity Surveyor: specializes in estimating the cost of construction work. The term quantity surveyor is derived from the role taken in quantifying the various resources required to construct a given project, such as labour, supervision, plant, and materials. The quantity surveyor prepares a cost plan to guide the client from the completed design briefs. Upon receipt of design drawings, the quantity surveyor prepares a Bill of Quantities (B.O.Q). The quantity surveyor must also prepare, with the aid of the contractor’s invoices and other documents and the final account (Anyanwu, 2013).   (6) The Builder: He is the professional at the centre of the physical construction of buildings, and by virtue of his strategic roles and responsibilities as enshrined in the NBC, he leads the construction team. All documents prepared by other professionals are given to the Builder. He studies the production information in the drawings, schedules, and specifications and then analyzes the buildability and maintainability of the Building. He directs the construction method, programme, assesses the workmanship skill of artisans required, and provides solutions to underlying/hidden technical problems. In general, his role in the building development process is to construct the Building, which he does by taking charge of the activities on a building construction site in translating designs, working drawings, schedules, and specifications into a physical structure. His expertise in Building production management is the main professional input he renders on building projects. The Builder assembles and combines all materials listed by the quantity surveyor to make a living abode. (Akomolede, 2016). According to Anyanwu, (2013) in constructing buildings, a Builder performs the following roles:   (i) Carry out Buildability and Maintainability Analysis and Report (ii) Prepare Construction Management Documents (Project Quality Management Plan, Project Health and Safety Plan, Construction Programme, Construction Methodology, Early Warning System Charts, Information Requirement Schedule) (iii) Manage the construction process on site. (iv) The Builder’s role takes prominence at the construction stage though it starts from the planning and design stages.   (7) The Estate Surveyor and Valuer: His role is paramount for economic and commercial values. The input of the estate surveyor helps to increase the sales or rentable value of a building after construction. The professional who manages the estate after completion is expected to have a major input in planning and executing building projects. They should be involved early in the building development process, especially in commercial, residential and other building types. They advise on current consumer trends, market demands, and the timing of the project’s entrance into the market. The main task of the Estate Surveyor and Valuer on a building development project is to provide estimates for rental and capital value as well as to identify potential buyers and or occupiers and to organize and implement the disposal of the development. At the very early stage, his initial valuation of the project is required to assess the correct land price. Some important roles of the Estate Surveyor and Valuer in commercial building development, according to Bamisile, 2005 are:   (i) The identification of potential buyers or occupiers- market demand. (ii) The analysis of the requirements of occupiers and ensuring that they are incorporated into the design. (iii) The assessment of the rent or price that buyers or occupiers are willing and able to pay. (iv) The assessment of market conditions and possible changes that may arise during and after the development period. (v) The development and implementation of a marketing strategy. (vi) The monitoring of the effectiveness of the marketing strategy. (vii) The negotiations of lettings or sales.   While Akomolede, (2016) opined that the Estate surveyor is the beginning and end of the housing chain. He further explains that his work begins with the search for suitable land for houses. He goes ahead to carry out the valuation of the land as a guide on the appropriate price to be paid when the developer has identified the land. The surveyor also carries out the feasibility and viability studies if the property is for investment purposes. The absence of the estate Surveyor and valuer in the building chain has led to housing project abandonment and significant financial and economic losses in Nigeria. The estate surveyor can also be the project manager at the building construction stage to act as a neutral party to the project who was not involved in the design to check bias. He went further to state that the functions of the estate surveyor at the end of the building construction project include: (i) Selection of a suitable tenant (ii) Rent collection (iii) Lease renewal and re-letting (iv) Attending to tenant complaints (v) Ensure that landlords and tenants adhere to maintenance obligations as stipulated in the lease document (vi) Ensure that service charges are paid and when due (vii) Carry out periodic inspection to ensure that the property remains in an acceptable condition to avoid obsolescence (viii) Advice on alteration and improvements to reflect the current state of the art (ix) Advice on re-development or disposal and lots more.   (8) The Project Manager: He acts as a representative of the client in the project team who  manages the works to ensure that the resultant structure or Building will conform with specified quality standards. The role of the client representative on site is to check for the quality of materials and workmanship to ensure that they all comply with drawings and specifications. The person capable of inspecting materials and the workmanship of works must be a well-trained professional in building construction and with training in project management. Their roles are complementary when they are all on-site and representing the client’s interest. For example, while the resident architect will inspect those materials and components specified by the project architect and also check dimensions physically on-site, the engineers will equally inspect materials specified by each one of them (structural, electrical, and mechanical) and their positioning in the works, the resident builder will have to ensure by way of continuous inspections the implementation of construction methodology and the project manager will ensure that the project quality management plan and stage of work are in conformity with the design. The contractor should usually cooperate with the project manager and treat him as the senior member of the project team whose assistance and advice as to outstanding project execution information, interpretation of the designer’s intentions, contract conditions, and so on, cannot be done without. The project manager, as the client’s representative, must submit reports periodically to the client.   (9) Facility Manager: Atkin and Brooks (2002) defined facilities management as an integrated approach to operating, maintaining, improving, and adapting the building infrastructure of an organization to create an environment that strongly supports the primary objective of that organization. Hence, facility management approaches a building project by operating, maintaining, improving, and adapting the building infrastructure to create an environment that strongly supports the primary objective of that Building and encourages housing delivery. Some scholars are of the opinion that sustainable design and construction contribute to the creation of facilities that are energy efficient, cost less over their life cycle, and improve worker productivity. They reported that the active participation of facilities managers during the planning, design, and construction phases ensures that sustainable strategies are not undermined after the facilities are delivered and that future plans and policies for the facility are kept. Okoroh, Jones and IIozor (2003) provided insights into the derivation of values by users of the built environment through facilities management. Latham (2001) opined that the facilities manager is the eyes and ears of the clients. Facility managers cover a wide range of services from real estate management, contact management, financial management, change management, and human resource management to health and safety and in addition to building maintenance and domestic services (such as cleaning and security), and utility supply. This facility management role should exist during the construction and refurbishment phase, although responsibilities will be shared with the contractors. According to Enoma, (2005), the last two decades have experienced significant growth in facilities management due to the changing business environment. Privatization of business operations, re-engineering of business, the idea of value for money, customer satisfaction, subcontracting, and outsourcing of non-core activities have all contributed in no small measure to the development of facilities management. Although the input of facility managers is required at the design stage, it becomes more prominent at the operation stage. Facility managers are required to manage the organization, the people, and the workplace to attain organizational goals.   3.0 CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FOR BUILDERS The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct states guidelines for the conduct of members in fulfilling their professional obligations. Builders registered by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) are dedicated to the highest standard of professionalism, integrity, and competence. Ethics and ethical behaviour are central to professionalism. It doesn’t matter how skilled and experienced a person becomes; they are not professionals if they behave dishonestly and without regard for the rights of others.   To be a Registered Builder, you must understand your responsibility to comply with the Builder’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. You will need to read this carefully and consider how it will inform your working life. The CORBON’s core requirement of its members is that they should think seriously about their ethical duties and should be able to demonstrate that they understand the importance of professional integrity.   Ethics in this publication is defined as: The discipline dealing with what is good and bad about moral duty and obligation. A set of accepted moral principles and values about what ought to be. A theory or system of moral principles governing the appropriate conduct for an individual group. A code of morality.   3.1 What do we mean by “moral principles and values?” Morality is a set of acceptable standards or rules about what is right or wrong conduct. Conduct or behaviour is the way a person responds to a set of conditions. Therefore, when we speak of an action being “unethical” we mean an action that is inconsistent with agreed-upon moral conduct.       3.2 PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES The guiding principles of this Code are independent endeavour and freedom of association, enterprise, and competition for the benefit of Nigeria’s economy and quality of life. Furthermore, the principles guiding the objectives of this Code are: To promote world best practices in all stages of building project procurement delivery; To set standards of acceptable behaviour in the industry via a code of commercial ethics; To adhere to government codes and guidelines applicable to the Industry; To comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law; To conduct equitable complaint and disciplinary procedures; To continue to develop the potential of the Industry’s human resources; To change the culture of the Industry through the development of the non-adversarial “partnering” concept and the continuous improvement and benchmarking of Industry performance; To actively pursue the continued reform of the Industry to prevent a recurrence of past undesirable practices; To develop a culture that stimulates free and open competition between all parties to an Industry project.   The Code’s overriding philosophy is that certain types of commercial behaviour are unacceptable and those who choose to participate in them have no place in the industry. All who gain their livelihood from the industry have a duty to ensure that this Code operates effectively.       3.3 CORRUPTION The common definition of corruption is dishonesty and abuse of an official or a position for personal and selfish gains. Corruption stains individual integrity and stains the individual’s social conscience of public good, wholeness, and prudence. In theological, philosophical, or moral dimensions, corruption is a spiritual or moral deviation from the ideal as expounded in our religious books – a SIN or IMPURITY. Political corruption is the use of government powers by officials for illegitimate private gains or advantages.   3.3.1 FUNDAMENTALS OF CORRUPTION Fundamentally, corruption is a sin. It stems from the original sin of the fallen man. Man in his natural state is morally bankrupt, depraved, greedy, dishonest, self-centered, materialistic, and sectarian.       3.3.2 CAUSES OF CORRUPTION Weak economic base of households Lack of a fundamental moral and spiritual environment for transparent and honest business Lack of contentment with own resources Lack of faith in God Fear of the unknown due to instability in polity and policies  Covetousness Planning one’s life above available means Wrong value system Lack of love and knowledge of God Lack of love in the home Absence of the fear of God Love for the world Lack of good governance and the ineffectiveness of anti-corruption agencies in government Lack of good moral upbringing in the homes Failure of religious organisations to design sustainable and structured programmes to combat corruption Failure of religious organizations to adhere strictly to sound doctrine Disconnection with God   3.3.3 EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION Since corruption stains the individuals’ integrity and social conscience, it ultimately reverses their perception of public good and decency. Therefore, the concomitant effect of corruption is physical, spiritual, and moral underdevelopment. Most countries where corruption or corrupt practices hold sway are in the top league of underdevelopment in terms of physical, spiritual, or moral development. Every facet of life in those countries is in a state of perpetual underdevelopment, mismanagement, or at best gross underperformance.   3.3.4 A REVIEW OF SOME CORRUPT PRACTICES Given the origin of corruption, it is almost impossible to embark on a holistic review of acts that constitute corruption. This is because, like an amoeba, corruption has the propensity to change colour and shape at the slightest opportunity. Also, depending on the socio-cultural sensibilities of the geographical entity involved, the perception of a corrupt act might vary in intensity and acceptance.   However, a few acts or actions are reviewed below to indicate some of the activities or actions that constitute corrupt practices.   Facilitation Of Payment According to the business anti-corruption portal, facilitating payment is defined as “a form of bribery made to expedite or facilitate performance by a public official for a routine governmental function and not to obtain or retain business… Low-level and low-income officials typically demand payment facilitation to obtain levels of service that one would officially be entitled to without such payments.” Hence, one could say in brief that facilitation is the payment made to induce the performance of an act that is a proper duty. Facilitation of payments is sometimes aimed at securing favours like the issuance of visa or import permit, award of contract, issuance of a certificate, passing a file to the next appropriate officer, and making of payments for activities, all of which are properly due, but which are not being carried out or are being carried out unduly slowly.   Fraud In a narrow sense, fraud may be defined as the use of deception to gain some financial or other advantages. “In a broad stroke’s definition, fraud is a deliberate misrepresentation which causes another person to suffer damages, usually monetary losses. Most people consider the act of lying to be fraudulent, but in a legal but not spiritual sense lying is only one small element of actual fraud. A salesman may lie about his name, eye colour, place of birth, and family, but as long as he remains truthful about the product he sells, he will not be found guilty of fraud. There must be a deliberate misrepresentation of the product’s condition, and actual monetary damages must occur.”   Collusion Specifically, it means two or more persons conspiring to defraud or deceive another party. More broadly, it is “a form of a secret agreement between two or more people. These individuals typically meet secretly, reaching an agreement that is designed to deceive or defraud someone else, an organisation, or the government. Collusion can take several forms, many of which are illegal, and you may have found yourself the victim of a form of lesser collision at some point, for example when your friends all privately agree on which film they want to attend before contacting you.” Examples are cartels, bid-rigging, price fixing, loser’s fees, cover pricing, etc.       Embezzlement Dishonestly appropriating money or other assets with which one has been entrusted.   Secret Ownership Concealing the true ownership of a company in order to profit illegally from a contract or other benefit provided to the company.   Abuse Of Power The abuse of a position of trust for the purpose of illicit gain. A government official who accepts a bribe, commits fraud, or embezzles funds will also be abusing his power.   Money Laundering The movement of cash or assets obtained by criminal activity from one location to another.   Common Corrupt Procurement Offences Tenderers collude to rig bids; Tenderers bribing procurement officers to award contracts according to bid-rig;  Procurement officers mis-awards contracts (bribery/abuse of Power); Fraud in pretending that tender was carried out properly; Money laundering of illicit profits made by all concerned.    Other Common Corrupt Procurement Offences A Contractor submitting inflated claims to a Builder (Fraud) A Contractor offering a bribe to the Builder to approve an inflated Claim (bribery/collusion); Builder accepts bribe (bribery/ abuse of power); Builder offers certificate approving claim (fraud/abuse of power); Money laundering of illicit profits made by all concerned.              4.0 BUILDER’S CODE OF ETHICS 4.1 Fundamental Principles Builders uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the building profession by: Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment; Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers, and clients; Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession; and Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.    4.2 Fundamental Canons Builders shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. Builders shall perform services only in areas of their competence. Builders shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Builders shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees and shall avoid conflicts of interest. Builders shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. Builders shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the building profession. Builders shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those builders under their supervision.     4.3 Guidelines To Practice Under The Fundamental Canons Of Ethics   CANON 1. Builders shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties. (The construction process can impact upon the public interest in many ways, and therefore, there are many issues for members to consider in order to discharge this obligation).   Builders shall recognize that the lives, safety, health, and welfare of the general public are dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions, and practices incorporated into structures, products, processes, and devices. Builders shall approve or seal only those documents, reviewed or prepared by them that are determined to be safe for public health and welfare in conformity with accepted building standards. Builders whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the safety, health, and welfare of the public are endangered or the principles of sustainable development ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible consequences. Builders who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be in violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information to the proper authority and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such information or assistance as may be required. Builders should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and work to advance the safety, health, and well-being of the communities and protect the environment through sustainable development. Builders should be committed to improving the environment adherence to the principles of sustainable development to enhance the general public’s quality of life.   CANON 2. Builders shall perform services only in areas of their competence. Builders shall undertake to perform building assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the technical field of the area involved. Builders may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the project in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees. Builders shall not affix their signatures or seals to any document dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervisory control.   CANON 3. Builders shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Builders should endeavour to extend the public knowledge of Building and sustainable development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair, or exaggerated statements regarding Building and built environment. Builders shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony. Builders when serving as expert witnesses, shall express their opinion only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence, and upon honest conviction. Builders shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on building matters that are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements are made. Builders shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit and shall avoid any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor, and dignity of the profession.   CANON 4. Builders shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or Trustees and shall avoid conflicts of interest. Builders shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business association, interests, or circumstances that could influence their judgment or the quality of their services. Builders shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the same project, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed to and agreed to by all interested parties. Builders shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for which they are responsible. Builders in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental body or department shall not participate in considerations or actions with respect to services solicited or provided by them or their organization in private or public practice. Builders shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they believe a project will not be successful. Builders shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests of their clients, employers, or the public. Builders shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or interest without the knowledge of their employers.   CANON 5. Builders shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others. Builders shall not give, solicit, or receive either directly or indirectly, any political contribution, gratuity, or unlawful consideration in order to secure work, exclusive of securing salaried positions through employment agencies. Builders should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional service required. Builders may request, propose, or accept professional commission on a contingent basis only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised. Builders shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional qualifications or experience. Builders shall give proper credit for building work to those to whom credit is due and shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they shall name the person or persons who may be responsible for designs, inventions, writings, or other accomplishments. Builders may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading language or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession.   Examples of permissible advertising are as follows: Professional cards in recognized, dignified publications, and listing in rosters or directories published by responsible organizations, provided that the cards or listings are consistent in size and content and are in a section of the publication regularly devoted to such professional cards. Brochures that factually describe experiences, facilities, personnel, and capacity to render service, providing they are not misleading with respect to the Builder’s participation in projects described. Display advertising in recognized dignified business and professional publications, providing it is factual and is not misleading with respect to the Builder’s extent of participation in projects described. A statement of the builders’ names or those of the firm and statement of the type of service posted on projects for which they render services. Preparation or authorization of descriptive articles for the lay or technical press that are factual and dignified. Such articles shall not imply anything more than direct participation in the project described. Builders shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of another builder or indiscriminately criticize another’s work. Builders shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office facilities of their employers to carry on outside private practices without the consent of their employers.   CANON 6. Builders shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the building profession. Builders shall not knowingly act in a manner that will be derogatory to the honor, integrity, or dignity of the building profession or knowingly engage in business or professional practices of a fraudulent, dishonest, or unethical nature.   CANON 7. Builders shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those Building under their supervision. Builders should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practices, participating in continuing education courses, reading in technical literature, and attending professional meetings and seminars. Builders should encourage their building employees to become registered at the earliest possible date. Builders should encourage building employees to attend and present papers at professional and technical society meetings. Builders shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers and employees concerning terms of employment including professional grade descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits. Builders shall keep themselves informed of current thinking and developments appropriate to the type and level of their responsibility. They should be able to provide evidence that they have undertaken sufficient study and personal development to fulfill their professional obligations by the current guidelines of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).   CONCLUSION If professionals adhere strictly to their profession’s laid down codes and ethics, the maladies we face, such as building collapse, may not occur at all. While this is a clarion call for us all to ensure that the right and proper thing is done, it also allows us the opportunity to let the general public know that Codes of Ethics and Best Practices govern professionals in the construction sector and, as such, the professional Builder plays a vital role not only within the built environment but in every sphere of our national development.    Thank you.    Bldr. Samson Opaluwah, FNIOB, FNSE, FNIM, FICIARB, QAA Chairman, CORBON