By Ella Anokam
Abuja – The Federal Government has urged the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to check the activities of unqualified persons in the built industry to avert ugly incidents in the country.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola made this call on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the newly reconstituted board of ARCON.
“We expect that, as a regulatory agency, you will check the activities of unqualified persons in the built industry whose unchecked activities have caused discomfort, death and injuries, among others.
Fashola noted that effective venting of such activities by the architects body would ensure that buildings were designed and structured in such a way that public health and safety were not compromised.
The minister said that the council was set up with determined standard of education and experience that needed to be attained by all architects that were practicing in Nigeria.
“It establishes and maintains a register with persons entitled to practice the profession in the country and also regulates the professional conducts and practice in the field.
“I want you to consider your appointment as a call to national service, especially as participation and contribution of your own quota towards helping President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in rebuilding the country.
“Your determination and patriotism to help the Federal Government by discharging the mandate of rebuilding Nigeria is necessary.
“Necessity to do so becomes more compelling at this time when the government is committed to massive investment and infrastructure development across the country for economic growth.
Fashola noted that the council was coming to serve also at the time the Federal Government was committed to implementing the National Housing Programme (NHP) nationwide, the second time.
“This does not suggest that previous governments were not committed to housing, but none was on a national scale as was done during Shehu Shagari housing scheme.
He added that the purpose of the NHP was to deliver to Nigerians, houses considering the geopolitical zones differences, typography and diversities.
He added that it was being done in 34 states of the federation with different levels of construction, saying that the programmed was still at its pilot stage.
According to him, the ministry will continue to value the architect’s contributions and inputs to make the pilot programme a model.
Fashola said the revised National Building Code was on course and being done based on expansive considerations of all the 36 states and commissioners representing the built industry.
The minister stressed that the council’s inputs were expected in the revised code to enhance the built industry.
A member of the newly reconstituted council, Mr Tunji Bolu, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the opportunity given to them to serve the country.
He pledged on behalf of others that the council would discharge its mandates accordingly to boost the built environment and promote national integrity.
The tenure of the former board of the council expired in September 2017 and the ministry proceeded to nominate 45 board members nationwide. (NAN)