Anambra rallies experts in the fight against quackery in the building industry

Anambra State is intensifying its fight against unqualified practitioners in the building industry, urging experts and stakeholders to uphold professional standards. Chijioke Ojukwu, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, stressed the vital role of certified professionals in achieving sustainable and orderly urban growth during a recent meeting in Awka.

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Such individuals often infiltrate critical stages of the building construction value chain and secure contracts despite lacking the requisite qualifications. This is partly responsible for structural failures and other avoidable incidents within the sector.

The meeting brought together representatives from key professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Builders, the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP). Commissioner Ojukwu voiced serious concerns over the proliferation of unqualified individuals who often secure contracts and infiltrate critical stages of construction projects despite lacking the necessary credentials.

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This initiative is intended to eliminate ambiguity and close loopholes that may encourage corrupt practices.

"This is partly responsible for structural failures and other avoidable incidents within the sector," Ojukwu stated, emphasizing that these unqualified actors pose a significant risk to public safety and infrastructure integrity. He called for a more robust and coordinated regulatory framework, coupled with enhanced enforcement mechanisms. The goal is to ensure that only licensed professionals are permitted to practice in Anambra, thereby promoting accountability and improving overall construction standards.

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The forum provided stakeholders with a platform to discuss practical measures to sanitise the sector and prevent unqualified practitioners from operating within the system.

To further bolster the sector, the ministry is implementing a more transparent and accountable assessment process for government development levies. This initiative aims to eliminate ambiguity and close potential loopholes that could facilitate corrupt practices. Stakeholders, including Okey Nwosu, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers (NSSE) Onitsha Chapter, and Emma Ifemedebe, a former chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, welcomed the engagement, recognizing it as a crucial platform for discussing practical measures to sanitize the industry and prevent the operations of quacks.

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Proper planning is the foundation of development control. Development must be preceded by comprehensive planning to ensure that structures are situated in suitable locations.