Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Anambra State Chapter, has commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s urban regeneration initiative.
The Institute gave the commendation during it 2024 Annual Conference, with the Theme; Towards a Liveable and Sustainable Urban City: role of professionals in planning and construction,’ held at Oba D.A Nwandu Architectural Research Centre, Department of Architecture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, on Friday.
They argued that the ongoing tree planting initiative across the three major cities in Anambra, Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi to make the State clean and green and other huge projects like the ongoing construction of Ekwulobia flyover, construction of fun city in Awka and the rehabilitation of Okpoko slum in Ogbaru council area of the state, mass employment in all sectors and the one youth, two skills acquisition programme will remain the major unforgettable achievements of governor Soludo in Anambra State.
The governor while declaring the event open, challenged young and old architects in the state to portray the spirit of sportsmanship, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication in their profession, noting that work cooperatively with others within the engineering world remains the major way to curb quackery, incident of building collapse and efficiency.
Soludo who was represented by the State Commissioner for Housing and Infrastructure, Hon Pauly Onyeka, also urged them to be creative and diverse-oriented architects, move beyond designing and building, and develop entrepreneurial master plan and the integrity to strengthen the reputation and values of the profession in line with governor’s vision of making Anambra a livable, clean, green and prosperous state in Nigeria.
The State Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc Dr. Ikenna Michael Onuora, on his address said that the conference would be helpful in repositioning the chapter and equipping the teeming young architects with the right knowledge for more effective
performance.
He called on the governor to consider the establishment of “Guide of Artisan” to pave room for training and re-training of the artisan, especially, the building labourers, popularly known as manson-men, saying that they contribute to the solidity of any construction work in the society.
Earlier in his keynote address, the guest speaker of the event, Arc Asomba Andrew Egbuonu, whose lecture centered on the theme of the conference, urged the Anambra state government to collaborate with the professional bodies and other critical stakeholders to deliver the most liveable and sustainable cities in Nigeria and Africa at large.
“According to him, the Anambra architects, urban planners, engineers, environmental scientists, and other built environment professionals, should be challenged to see to the realization of liveable and sustainable city of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi in the State.
“Liveable and sustainable urban cities are designed and developed with the primary intention of providing high quality of life for habitants while minimizing the negative impacts on the environment.
They are designed for resilience and prioritize the well-being of residents, providing
for access to clean air and water, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and recreational spaces.
“I recommend we start identifying our talents and begin the process of harnessing these capabilities as a key element of the Soludo solutions to the improvement of our urban spaces, the speaker stated
The Executive Chairman, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barr Chike Maduekwe who also spoke, urged the Architects to sustained a stronger synergy with other professionals in order to achieved their set goals.
Maduekwe, used the event to warned residents against passing the night in any building in the state undergoing construction.
He noted that the warnings were part of the Anambra government’s directive to mitigate building collapse in the state.
