March 19, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has said it would collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) to ensure proper regulation to curtail the incessant building collapse across the country.
A statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, said Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, conveyed the government’s position at the State House on Wednesday when he received on a courtesy visit, a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, led by its National President, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi.
Gbajabiamila, who stressed that quackery remained a major challenge in the industry, said it was imperative for the institute to intensify its efforts towards sanitising the building space.
“I think it is important for proper regulation in the industry; You must address the use of substandard materials leading to building collapse and other associated) 22 problems.
“Your body should be able to sue quacks because you have a locus. What a quack means is that he is misrepresenting himself as being an architect or as a registered member of your profession, misrepresenting the profession. That should give you enough locus to sue for misrepresentation because you are protecting your profession”, he said.
The Chief of Staff stressed that the government was determined to expand local content utilisation, recalling that he presented a bill on local content in the building industry as a member of the House of Representatives.
Noting that architecture was more than a profession, Gbajabiamila, said it embodied culture, space and civilisation:
“Your profession is an integral part of national development. The architecture of a country speaks volumes about the character of a country; it is an expression of who they are and what we are and that is why you have people talk about Spanish style, Brazilian architecture as well as English, American buildings or Arabic Style. That tells you that architecture is not just a profession but a way of life.”
Reacting to other requests from the body, Gbajabiamila stated that it was important to have a holistic approach to the issue of local content rather than piecemeal legislation on every aspect of the national economy.
He advised the institute to liaise with relevant committees of the National Assembly towards achieving some of their requests.
Earlier, leader of the delegation and National President, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi said the institute, formed in 1960, came to seek the government’s participation in its 65th anniversary celebrations in May this year.
According to the National President, “Architecture has stood as a representation of society, reflecting the values, aspirations and successes of civilisations over time.”
She commended the Chief of Staff for his “imprint in the building and construction industry” through his donation of buildings to the University of Lagos and sought the government’s intervention towards the establishment of a Building Regulation Commission as obtained in other sectors to deal effectively with quackery and lack of professionalism.
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