How to end building collapse in Nigeria – NIA
Ani Bassey
The Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA have insisted that the engagement of architects and other building professionals is the only way to end the cases of building collapse in the country.
The NIA disclosed this in Calabar during the Second edition of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Cross River State Chapter’s convention.
This year’s convention had as theme: “Architects and Architecture in Sustainable Urban Development: Role of Architects in the value chain.
The Chairman, NIA, Cross River State Chapter Alaba Abiodun Oduniyi in his speech highlighted the importance of engaging professionals in the sector.
He stressed that “the only remedial factor to incessant collapse and other deficiencies in building sector is for government at all levels as well as individuals to patronise registered architects and other professionals who are proficient in the building sector”.
He pledged that the NIA and other professionals in the building sector are committed to firmly put cases of building collapse, environmental challenges, rapid urbanization and climate change on the front burner of its programme.
Justifying the theme of convention, the NIA state chairman said “This convention serves as a platform where we engage, collaborate and chart new directions for architecture, not just in Cross River State but across the nation.
“Our theme for this year’s convention is both timely and critical. In an era defined by rapid urbanization and climate change, we stand at the intersection of design, technology and environmental stewardship, tasked with shaping spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but also sustainable for future generations”, he disclosed.
Oduniyi noted that the convention is an opportunity for NIA to reflect on the responsibilities and explore how they can meaningfully contribute to national and global discourse on sustainable urban development.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands Hon. Francis Ekpenyong in his speech commended the State’s NIA for the successful second edition of her convention.
He noted that Architects are actually the leaders in the building industry. He disclosed that when every building has an architect, qualified engineers and all other related professionals handling these projects, there would be no incidents of building collapse.
“We are going to make sure that we work closely with the government to ensure that every individual, groups, local, state and Federal Government engages professional architects to handle projects”, he warned.
Abigail Effiom, a participant said that any building from inception starts with the architects to the final completion.
She said that the architects design and supervise the building process to ensure that the projects that are conceived are physically implemented.
Ukam Patrick from the Department of Architecture, University of Calabar, tasked every individual to see the need in contracting and engaging architects and experts in the construction of projects and other structures to avoid collapse.
