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Institute hinges abandoned N15trillion projects on corruption

By Cornelius Essen
23 June 2016   |   1:10 am
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has blamed the high number of abandoned projects on pervasive corruption in the country.
Architects

Architects

The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has blamed the high number of abandoned projects on pervasive corruption in the country.

The President of the Institute, Tonye Braide, who stated this at the Council Meeting of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) in Abuja recently, put the cost of abandoned public projects in the country at N15trillion.

He was quick to add that the association is playing a leading role in the fight against institutional corruption especially in the construction industry.

His words: “We are going to deliberate over the issues at the anti-corruption workshop and come out with what would create a road-map to assist government in recovering its dilapidating assets in the industry. The Institute would strive towards building stronger partnerships and collaboration with all professional bodies. However, NIA is faced with the growing army of unregistered professionals who are practicing architecture informally.”

NIA President therefore, explained that the NIA intends to set up a think-tank to proffer solutions to how to bridge the gaps of its training programmes as well as formalize its intended membership in the country.

“We are equally alarmed at the falling standard of fresh graduates from our institutions. It appears that some curricula are no longer at par with the requirements of modern times. We may seek the intervention of APBN to collectively address this problem,” he explained.

On his part, the President of APBN, Foluso Fasoto said: “In recent times, the Nigerian professionals have been sidelined on issues affecting the growth and development of the nation Nigeria and this has not allowed them to proof their competence in their chosen profession.”

Fasoto decried importation of jobs that local expatriates can do, adding that, “government would rather import professionals to carry out what millions of Nigerians are trained to do for their fatherland. All over the globe, professionals pave way for economic growth of the nation. Nigeria cannot be an exception.”

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