Apparently miffed by the spate of killings occasioned by incessant building collapses in Nigeria, the Association of Chartered Architects of Nigeria recently issued a press release on its stand on the menace.
In the press release duly signed by the President of the association, Arc. Noyor E. Omatsone and its National Secretary, Arc. Dr. Koye Jolaoso, the association as the acclaimed head of the building team, underscored the importance of the thoroughness of the architect, as the structure of any building which is the framework on which its erection is sustained, lies mainly on the professional prowess of the architect.
The association also reiterated the importance of the enforcement of the ARCON Project Registration Number (APRIN) which is a mandatory registration number issued to all architects/architectural firms practicing in Nigeria for proper regulation.
Below is the full text of the press release:
PRESS RELEASE
WORRISOME SPATE OF INCIDENCE OF BUILDING COLLAPSE IN NIGERIA
Buildings are neither designed nor constructed to collapse. A fully or partially
collapsed building is therefore – and naturally – a failure or a failed building.
Experience from scientific inquest into failed buildings always tends to reveal a
deviation from the standard or acceptable practices/norms, which is
predominantly precipitated by ignorance due to lack of appropriate experience
or dereliction of professional duties.
Aside from the reprimand that may follow a failure, to show that it is an
unacceptable occurrence, the need to take proactive steps to forestall future
failures is even more compelling. This is because of the collateral damage that
follows every other failure and the gradual erosion of trust in the abilities of
practitioners in the built environment.
If the spectrum of buildings that have suffered failure was restricted to a
particular type of user or clientele – private users and developers – it would have
been easy to situate these failures with the compromise in standards – even if
the culpability of regulators/regulations in the development of buildings would
not be excused thereof. However, this spectrum cuts across both individual,
organized private and public sector buildings, some of which are located even in
our ivory towers and duly funded with public funds.
TRUSTEES:
J.O. Okah-Avae – Chair
Moukhtar M. Mai
ObinnayaIheanacho
A.N.Adenuga
Zanzan Uji (Prof)
Plot 1009, A769 Street, Off 69 Road, Galadima Layout,
Gwarimpa Housing Estate, Abuja, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]; [email protected] tel: 08023146249, 08035525279, 08033326954
THE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN CHARTERED ARCHITECTS
