ARCON solicits for appointment of architects into public service
The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, (ARCON) have tasked the Ekiti State Government to ensure the appointment of at least one ARCON-registered and certified architect into the state public service.
The President of ARCON, Dipo Ajayi, stated this during a courtesy visit to the governor of Ekiti State, adding the appointment was necessary for the architects to oversee the administration of the Architects Project Registration Number System within each Local Government Area.
He further requested the appointment of a State Director of Architecture that would also have direct access to the APRN database for efficient administration within the state.
He revealed that APRN is intended to combat the scourge of building failure and collapse by ensuring only fully registered and financially current architects prepare, produce and submit designs for planning/implementation approval and receive such approvals when they are given.
According to him, the system would provide the governor with a database of all building approval registrations carried out in all LGAs within the state as well as enable the executive governor track revenues that accrue to the state from building approval charges, land use and appropriate taxes, property taxes and other building development related revenues.
The state government, he said is required to ensure the appointment of at least one ARCON-registered and certified architect to oversee the administration of the APRN system within each LGA in order to achieve the result.
The president lamented that the state was starved of qualified and registered architects, which he attributed to the issue of remuneration within the state public service.
He advised that the state should consider the improvement of the architect’s salary to attract the best of hands because of the number of years it takes to qualify as one.
Responding, Governor Kayode Fayemi acknowledged that architects could not be placed on the same entry level with others, stressing that they should be given special consideration like doctors.
He stated that there was no objection to the APRN initiative and urged ARCON to make engagements through the Governors’ Forum for the initiative to be successful.
Fayemi urged the body to also approach the National Council on Establishment concerning the entry point of architects into the civil service.
Fayemi pointed out that there were not enough architects in practice, particularly at the local government level where they had Land Use Charge, which allowed the government enumerates the properties in the state as well as having detailed information on those properties.
“We are just about expanding and digitalising our record in the area of property through the Geographic Information System. It will help us have accurate information that will assist the state for both assessment and revenue generation.
“So, I see your proposal of APRN as a product that could work very well with our Land Use Charge and our Master Planning Process, not just for the capital city but, for the entire state,” the governor added.
He announced that the government was already employing more architects in the state to get involved in its Farm Settlement Schemes, Urban Renewal Programmes and various building projects.
