Architects to setup guidelines for foreigners

Rising from a joint meeting of Architects, under the aegis of the Association of Consulting Architects of Nigeria, indigenous consultants have called on government to lend their support.

The meeting was tagged: Sustainability of architectural and engineering consultancy practice through local patronage.

The proposed guidelines stipulate that indigenous professionals should handle jobs between N5b to N15b and for jobs above N15b, foreigners can be brought in, under the close watch of local consultants.

Adding that there should be training component incorporated in the contract to enhance transfer of technology.

The  Association of Consulting Architects of Nigeria (ACAN) President, Mr. Tayo Babalakin said with the support of the government, the guidelines will be adhered to.

Adding that “The government should be made to appreciate the upstream benefits to our human capital as well as the downstream benefits to our building components’ production and technology sector by a deliberate policy of patronising Nigerian architects and engineers.”

Babalakin stated that the guidelines are not meant to witch-hunt anyone, but to stop the infiltration of unregistered local and foreign persons in the building and infrastructural development sub-sector.

Decrying the situation where competent indigenous professionals are relegated to the background as second fiddles, to the advantage of foreign investors, who sometimes are less qualified.

In conclusion he said: 'We are aware that the federal and some state governments actively participate in the patronage of foreign consultants directly without due regard to the laws of the country. We cannot talk about discipline and good governance when governments at all levels are prolific breakers of the extant laws in the books concerning our industry.'