THE two warring architects’ associations: the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects (ANCA) have been urged to come together and set aside their differences to pursue the common goal of contributing to the Development Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The president, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Sir Dipo Ajayi, gave the advice during the induction ceremony of newly qualified architects, architectural technologists and architectural firms in Abuja.
During the ceremony, no fewer than 614 newly qualified members were added to the number of registered architects in Nigeria, while 54 architectural technologists and 86 architectural firms were also registered by ARCON.
Sueing for peace among the warring associations, Ajayi said that was the main reason the government set the Council up to ensure that it grants licences and instruments to architects, architectural technologists and architectural firms to practise their trade unfettered.
“No organisation is empowered to fulfil this mandate,”he said.
He recalled that despite the strategic importance of architecture to nation building, the profession had grappled with its own challenges resulting in the Ministerial directives to ARCON in 2022 to be an arbiter to the two warring associations: Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and Association of Nigerian Chartered Architects (ANCA).
“I must say that one of the outcomes of the peace initiative is the Professional Practice Competence Examinations (PPCE), which is in accordance with the Act establishing the council. I pray that this peace is sustained and we must tell ourselves never to tread this path of outright disregard for rules and regulations that guide us.
“It is on this note that I enjoin all architects in Nigeria to come together and set aside their differences to pursue the common goal of adding to the development agenda of this administration and subsequent ones,” he said.
To the newly qualified architects, registered architectural technologists and architectural firms, the ARCON president enjoined them to painstakingly check their daily activities against the standard expected of an architect, advising them to be honest and act with integrity.
“Promote your services honestly and responsibly; consider the wider impact of your work; carry out your work faithfully and conscientiously. Be trustworthy and look after your clients’ money properly; co-operate with regulatory requirements and investigations.
“Deal with disputes or complaints appropriately; have respect for others etc. Tick these boxes as you ply your trade on a daily basis and you would feel a sense of fulfilment,” he said.
ARCON Registrar, Arc. Umar Murnai, who spoke on ARCON Project Registration Number (APRN), urged the newly inducted architects, technologists and firms to support the initiative and ensure it works in all states of the federation.
He said APRN became necessary to protect architecture, the building industry, and the public.
According to Murnai, the initiative, which has been adopted at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, should be adopted by all MDAs, ministries and agencies.
The registrar, who lamented that the profession has not hit 10 per cent of its potential and mandate, however, assured architects in the country of unlimited opportunities for them in the country.
He said with the initiative, it has been difficult for unregistered architects to submit architectural drawings in Abuja.
Former Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos Chapter, Ladipo Lewis, who spoke on architectural ethics, said that the role of the regulatory body is give licenses to architects and protect the public.
“Therefore, you cannot afford to toil with professional integrity. You can’t apply your seal on jobs you’re not responsible for. You must declare any interest you have in any assignments you’regiven.You must never be involved in any form of corruption and bribery.
“Ensure that all your dealings under professional competency is that you’re above board. Execute your job with the best of practices Have clarity of terms when you’re engaged and be responsible for anything you take up.
“Have a condition of engagement with your client and always be truthful in your dealings.
Your integrity will either carry or crash you.
On general ethics and obligation, you cannot discriminate against your colleagues.You need to respect other people’s work without proper reference. You’re obligated to help others to get registered,” Lewis said.
The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) is established by the Architects (Registration, Etc.) Act A19, The Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (formerly Decree No 10 of 1969). The Act empowers the Council to set benchmarks and to control the training and practice of Architecture in Nigeria in all its ramifications. The Council’s activities are primarily tailored to control and regulate the practice of Architecture in Nigeria.
The primary purpose of setting up the Council more than fifty years ago by the Federal Government is to promote the development and growth of the Architectural profession in Nigeria. The Government also recognised that the built environment in any nation is an economic vehicle for development and wealth creation and therefore needs to be regulated.
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