Architects, Lagos partner on project

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

THE Lagos State government and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) have  set up a committee  for the implementation of the Architects’ Project Registration Number ( APRN).

This was the outcome of a parley by the group and the government.

ARCON had visited the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development where its officials presented various issues to the ministry on how to move the state built sector and architecture forward.

Dipo Ajayi, who led ARCON team to the meeting, said it was necessary for the state to look at the initiative and adopt it.

Each has four officials. ARCON   had  Umar Murnai, Registrar of the Council, Kayode Anibaba, Ladi Lewis and Tiwalola Fadeyibi.

The government representatives were Abiola Koseegbe and  General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA), Funmi Osifuye.

Ajayi said his Council had put in place  APRN that will, among other things, tackle the menace of building collapse and quackery  in the construction industry.

He revealed that the initiative had been adopted by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that if the Lagos State government adopts the policy, it would have done itself greater good because the initiative would generate more revenue to the state.

Murnai said this measure was  aimed at complementing the National Building Codes, which are to ensure that only professionals with the requisite knowledge and expertise were engaged.

According to the Registrar, APRN is a mandatory registration number for architects on each projects, adding that it would help certify the projects being executed by Nigerians, who were registered with the professional body.

Murnai added that the project registration number would serve as a  quality assurance.

He said with that initiative, only  registered and financial architects and firms were eligible to prepare, produce and submit architectural building plans for approvals/ implementation and to receive those approvals when they are given.

Specifically, the Registrar said the Council had observed that certain regulations in the planning law empower draftsmen to design, urging the state to remove that provision, as it runs against the Federal Govern-ment’s provision and courts’ pronouncement.

While a few clarifications were raised by the officials of the state, the Ministry’s PS said the government had noted the council’s grouse, assuring them that the offending section might be removed through the government’s policy.

However, some of ministry’s staff members expressed fear, saying that the adoption of APRN might further delay the state’s planning process.

Murnai assured that the process is automated, hence, it would not delay the planning process. Rather, it would make help the state to ensure standardisation and increase its revenue.