Architects seek early passage of national budget

The importance of early passage of annual budget to the overall economic development, particularly, the construction sector is very key, as the country is groaning under severe unemployment condition.

While attesting to the fact that policies of both the  Federal and State governments have of recent been responsive to the built environment, the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), once again called for the early passage of the documents.

Speaking at the end of the year party organised by the group,  Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Institute, Mr. Fitzgerald Umah, stated that early release of the annual budget enhances the performance of the economy.

Umah indicated that the economy would have fared better in 2017 had the budget been implemented in good time. To him, the economy witnessed some hitches in 2017, as a result of the late release and implementation of the budget.

He expressed  optimism that if the budgets by the federal and the states receive speedy passage, 2018 is going to be great for the building industry. “Once this happens, every other sector is going to feel the impact”, Umah said.

Although, the NIA chairman declared that 2017 was not all about bad news on the economy, he noted that it gladdens mind that as the nation is coming out of the recession, professionals in the construction sector are beginning to get some jobs.

“I also know that dollar has been stable for some time. As at today, dollar is cheaper in the black market than even in the government’s official market, which tells you that naira has been very stable. I can tell you that if this continues till the first and second quarter of next year, we would be assured of very good responses in the built industry.”