The federal government has called on the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) to develop affordable housing solutions and design low cost housing using local content to address what it described as a huge housing deficit in the country.
Acting Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan noted that architects have an enormous role to play in addressing housing deficit in the country by developing houses with low construction cost to make it affordable for the teeming Nigerian population, particularly civil servants.
Yemi-Esan said this at the grand innauguration of Sonny Echono, permanent secretary, ministry of education as the 28th president of NIA and 2019-2021 programme unveiling of the institute in Abuja.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the deputy chief of staff to the president, Ade Ipaye also charged the newly elected executive council of the institute to remain committed to revolutionising the sector and upholding the core values of the institute.
The Vice President also urged the institute to direct it’s new programme to helping the country achieve its sustainable national development and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is only 10 years away.
Also, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, while delivering his Goodwill message noted that Nigeria has high expectations for architects in delivering housing solution and aiding the country in achieving sustainable development goals through their unique skills.
“It’s the goal of this administration to put in place policies that will support all efforts to alleviate the lives of Nigerians and set the country on a sustainable part of progress and development and we don’t have any other key partner than the Nigerian institutes of architects,” Mustapha said.
Echono, the new NIA president in his innauguration speech, noted that Nigerian architects have been at the forefront of Socio-Economic and political development of the country.
While expressing his appreciation to the institute and distinguished attendees he said, “I consider it a great honour to be called upon to lead our noble profession of architects at this uniquely challenging time. Today is about the opportunities that we have to surpass the enviable achievements recorded. We must reconnect with all our stakeholders, reform and rebrand our enterprise, redefine and aggressively promote the role of the architect in the society and make sustained efforts to bring down cost of construction in the country.
“This, we can do by minimizing country risks, promoting greater efficiency in project management and eliminating loopholes and avenues for corruption.We shall areas our nets wide, pitch our tent in the right places and reach out to all potential partners including state governors and captains of industry.
“May the collective aspiration of the Nigerian people for comfortable shelter as well as the upliftment of their standard of living be fulfilled in our life time,” the president said.
Godsgift Onyedinefu, Abuja
