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Builders To Evolve Lagos Into Megacity – NIA
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) on Saturday in Lagos said building professionals have the responsibility to ensure urban development and the evolvement of Lagos into a megacity.
The institute made this known in a communique issued at the end of the three-day “Lagos Architects Forum 2013” held from May 15 to May 17 in Lagos.
The body said one of the hindrances to urbanisation was the inability of professionals to have access to requisite planning documents that may guide and specify building regulation requirements.
It also observed that absence of collective ownership or participation gives rise to urban social conflict.
“It has been observed that building professionals lack coherence in corporate practice which has impinged on the rapid urbanisation process of the city,” the communique said.
The NIA further stated in the communique that various levies imposed by government for building approval process were too enormous and they had hindered development in Lagos State.
It also said while the Lagos State government had spent resources to acquire the Geographic Information System, information generated was yet to be evenly distributed amongst government’s ministries and organs.
The institute said further that the process of land and title acquisition was yet to be streamlined.
“The building approval process needs to be simplified to ensure speedy project delivery, which will impact positively on the overall economy of a city,” the communique stated.
According to the body, the challenges of the Land Use Act of 1978 had made it difficult for intending developers to acquire requisite land documents for building approval.