‘Building industry deserves proper recognition’

Gotsh made this remarks at the 24th edition and annual exposition on building materials and construction technology organized by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)in Abuja.He called for concerted efforts to promote and protect the building and construction sector from unprofessionals or semiprofessionals who, according to him, are jeopardizing the industry and damaging the reputation. […]

Gotsh made this remarks at the 24th edition and annual exposition on building materials and construction technology organized by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)in Abuja.
He called for concerted efforts to promote and protect the building and construction sector from unprofessionals or semiprofessionals who, according to him, are jeopardizing the industry and damaging the reputation.
 Speaking on proper building management between the clients and the engaged professionals for efficient service delivery and standard projects execution, the Julius Berger helms said,   “The primary relationship in delivering quality projects which enhance our environment by their footprint and presence commences when professional consultants are approached by the clients. It is often at this initial stage that the quality of work to be derived or delivered – within the client’s means – can be determined by the professional advice offered by the consultants approached. The importance of architects in this relationship is thus evident as they are in a prime position to steer the clients towards solutions that will meet their requirements and enhance the overall quality of the built environment.
“The clients contribute immensely in defining the requirements for which all stakeholders in the construction and building component manufacturing industries provide solutions.
From the development of a working brief and during the course of their relationship, architects and clients define, amongst other: concept of a project, size of project, materials to be used, and  local content of works in terms of specifications and expertise.
The concept can hardly be changed by engineers and contractors once the end user has agreed on this.”
 In her address, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple urged professional Architects in the built environment to desist from requesting high service charge from clients in their clients.
She said, “I wish to observe that the desire of members of the NIA and other core professionals in the built environment  to provide solutions to everyday living will be richly met by recognizing the need to create opportunities for the citizenry to have improved access to professional services.
“One way of doing this is by charging appropriate fees in recognition of the high poverty levels in the country and the need to ensure improved access of professional services and expertise to even the poorest poor.
“It is in this regard that I find it odd that very often we lament that there is a preponderance of quacks in the built environment without realising the need to reduce our charges to make them affordable and accessible to all the income streams in the country.”
The minister  said  that  it  is the time to act positively to reverse this ugly trend while urging the  stakeholders in the sector to embrace innovation, stressing that the dynamism in the built environment globally had shown that “yesterday’s solutions can no longer address the concerns of the moment.”