ARCHITECTS LAUDS GOV SOLUDO’S URBAN REGENERATION INITIATIVE IN ANAMBRA 

By Ukpa Ewa :

The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Anambra State Chapter, has commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s urban regeneration initiative.

The Institute gave the commendation during its 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 1 youth 2 skills acquisition programme will remain the major unforgettable achievements of Gov. Soludo in Anambra State. 

The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Rev. Fr. Prof. Peter Chukwuemeka Agbonome 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 working cooperatively with others within the engineering world remains the major way to curb quackery, incident of building collapse and inefficiency.

Gov. Soludo 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, building, and develop entrepreneurial master plan and 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 Anambra Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc Dr. Ikenna Michael Onuorah, in 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 “Artisan Guild”  to pave room for training and re-training of the artisans, especially, the building labourers, popularly known as mason-men, carpenters, fitters, others , saying that they contribute to the totality 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 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,”he said.

The Executive Chairman, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barr. Chike Maduekwe, urged the Architects to sustain a stronger synergy with other professionals in order to achieve their set goals.

Maduekwe, used the event to warn residents against passing the night in any building undergoing construction, noting that the warnings were part of the Anambra Government’s directives to mitigate building collapse in the state.

The Managing Director Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement who is also Anambra State Council member of the Architects Registration Council, lauded Gov. Soludo’s developmental strides and charged Architects to live up to the expectations.

The conference also featured cash gift to three Nnamdi Azikiwe University Architecture Students; Ogbuagu Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Oli Emmanuel Ikechukwu and Mgburuchi Emmanuel Chinwendu for winning the NIA Students Design Competition on the topic “A Model Market for Anambra State” as sponsored by Arc. Charles Egbudom.

Award presentation to some deserving members of the society for their various contributions to the development of Architecture in Anambra State include; the State Commissioner for Housing and Infrastructure Mr Pauly Onyeka, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr Ossy Onuko, Don Ameachi Ifejika, the guest speaker, Arc Asomba Andrew Egbuonu.

*Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.