Institutes Of Architects Says Omission From ACTDA Building Team Erroneous
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has described the omission of architects in the ACTDA team for maintenance of building regulation standards in the capital territory.
Dr Ikenna Onuorah, chairman of NIA Anambra Chapter said this on Monday said architects remained critical in the building industry who should be part of any team that was conscious of beauty and safety.
Recall that ACTDA had last week set up a team for maintenance of building regulation standards as part of measures to forestall building collapse in the capital territory.
Onuorah said the omission of NIA members who were lead consultants in the building process was a procedural error which should be corrected without much delay.
He commended ACTDA for its proactive step towards ensuring an organised building approval, construction and control is laudable as it conformed with standard form of building contract and National Building Code.
Onuorah said the duties of the architects ranged from pre-contract, contract, and post contract stages of building production.
He said architects conceive building projects as prime consultants and were the last to leave after practical completion.
“He visualises all aspects of the project ranging from spatial, material, finishes, strength, estimated cost and also initiates the engagement of other professionals after the signing and acceptance of his presentation drawings by the client.
“The architect leads the consultancy team in the supervision of the contractor coordinating their inputs to his design with an eye on quality and project cost while avoiding clashes.
“He issues a certificate of practical completion to the contractor and coordinates the post occupancy evaluation of the building after it must have passed the defects and liability period of 6 months across all seasons,” he said.
Onuorah said there was need to strict adherence to principles of division of labour in the building industry in order to achieve optimal result
In a reaction, Mr Ossy Onuko, Managing Director of ACTDA said all relevant agencies in the building industry including architects would be incorporated in the team .
