NIA urges  Willie Obiano to implement previous recommendations on building collapse

AWKA, Nigeria – The Anambra State chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Architectures NIA has called on governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano to rather implement the recommendations of  2014 panel’s report instead of going ahead with the new panel to inquire on the immediate and remote causes of collapsed building in Onitsha.

The NIA in a press conference held in Awka, expressed shock at the recent inauguration of a new panel of inqury to look into the causes of building collapse in Onitsha, while the recommendations of the previous one set up by the same goverNment were  not implemented.

According to the body,the immediate and remote cause of building collapses in the state are known because there were contained in the previous panel reports on buildings collapses in the state.

Speaking at briefing,  chairman of NIA Anambra state, Osita Okafor expressed surprise at what he  described  as unconventional and unacceptable trend now, where  non architects assume the roles of  architects in the state. According to Okafor, the  ongoing  international conference at Agu -Awka where  a non-architect  is a lead consultant was another  abberation, saying that such anomalies do not happen anywhere in the world.

The chairman said most of the jobs being executed in the state were carried out by  qaucks, with little or no knowledge of building construction, stressing that buildings are supposed to be approved by professionals. He further said that given the report on the 2014 white- paper ,most building collapsed due to neglect of architects in the state.

“Recall that the government set up a 10-man panel of inqury to look  into collapsed building in Onitsha . We, the Anambra state chapter of NIA wish to express or state that we are taken aback by the inauguration of the new panel without implementation of the recommendation of the former panels set up by the same goverment on 9th of June, 2014.

The built environment is regulated , which we all know has defined roles for the various professions . It is therefore unconventional and unacceptable that non-architects now assume the roles of architects”.

We use this opportunity to draw government’s attentions to the implementation of the white- paper on building collapse  in Onitsha, published in October 13th, 2014. The white- paper stressed the need to establish  a one stop approval process. By this process,all relevant professional in the building industry  vet-drawing / documents  submitted for approval.

 
NIA called on the governor to take a dispassionate steps and correct all the issues raised.