Consider impact of your work on people and economy, ARCON urges architects

The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the regulatory authority for the Architecture profession, has urged newly registered architects to always consider the impact of the work they do on people and the economy.

The charge was also extended to registered architectural technologists and architectural firms, who ARCON told to painstakingly check their daily activities against the standard expected of an architect. He should be honest, act with integrity and promote his services honestly and responsibly.

Gabriel Oladipupo Ajayi, the ARCON president, who gave this charge at the induction of newly qualified architects, registered architectural technologists and architectural firms in Abuja recently, also urged the young architects to carry out their 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. Tick these boxes as you ply your trade on a daily basis and you would have a sense of fulfilment,” he assured.

Ajayi was, however, worried that despite the strategic importance of Architecture to nation building, the profession has grappled with some challenges, leading to 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).

He noted that one of the outcomes of the peace initiative was the Professional Practice Competence Examinations (PPCE), which was 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,” he pleaded.

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For that reason, the president urged all architects in Nigeria to come together and set aside their differences to pursue the common goal of adding to the development agenda of the present administration and subsequent ones.

This, he said, was the main reason the government set up the Council and to ensure that it grants licences and instruments to architects, architectural technologists and architectural firms to practice their trade unfettered.

Umar Murnai, ARCON Registrar, charged the young architects to support the ARCON Project Registration Number (APRN) and ensure that the initiative works in all states of the federation.

He said APRN became necessary to protect architecture, the building industry, and the public, adding that the initiative, which has been adopted at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, should be adopted by all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The Registrar lamented that the profession has not achieved 10 percent of its potential and mandate, but assured architects of unlimited opportunities for them in the country. He said that, with the initiative in place, it has been difficult for unregistered architects to submit architectural drawings in Abuja.

Ladipo Lewis, former chairman of NIA, Lagos chapter, told the inductees that the role of the regulatory body was to give them their licence and protect the public.

“Therefore, you cannot afford to toy 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’re given; you must never be involved in any form of corruption and bribery and should execute your job with the best of practices,” he said.