Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has called for multi disciplinary meeting of all professionals involved in the building industry to talk about improving the quality of buildings and how to make houses more accessible to the residents.
The minister who made this call while receiving a delegation from the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) led by its President, Arc. Umaru Aliyu that paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja today stressed necessity for the professionals in the industry to brainstorm and come out with sound system in the sub-sector.
Muhammad Bello described the industry as a robust sub sector with capacity to provide ready employment to the teeming populace in the FCT.
He expressed delight to meet professional bodies like ARCON that have contributed immensely to the development of the Federal Capital Territory even as he recalled having similar meeting with the Town Planners Association Nigeria recently.
He advised all the professionals, such as the Architects, Engineers, Town Planners, Surveyors and Builders to come together to find a better way to fast track the entire process; from the drawings, building plan approvals, setting out and the entire building construction process in the Territory.
The minister decried a situation where houses are built in estates without giving enough space for greening, planting of trees and at least a garden at the backyard as well as space for children play area.
Muhammad Bello gave assurance that the FCT Administration on its part, would make the process transparent and friendly to all players in the industry.
Earlier, the President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Arc. Umaru Aliyu congratulated the Minister over his appointment saying that ARCON has been working hard to eliminate quacks that have contributed immensely to the cases of collapsed buildings across the country.
He said however that no registered Architect has ever been involved in any case of collapsed building.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila and some senior officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister to receive the Architects. [myad]
