The patronage of quack architects has been identified as the major reason behind the frequent building collapse and other environmental unfriendly practices experienced in most cosmopolitan cities in Nigeria.
A renowned industrialist, Mr Ken Ogbuokwe, disclosed this at Afam in an interview with The Tide.
He urged residents of the city to seek professional advice from architects before embarking on building projects.
He said Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), needs to organise enlightenment programme to educate the public on the need to construct buildings in ways that would encourage environmental sustainability.
According to him, “such event when encouraged will enhance interaction between the architect and members of the public. There is need to invite professionals also from other disciplines to make their own contributions because their job concerns anyone living under a roof”.
As he puts it: “for many donkey years now, Nigerians have been dwelling on architecture and sustainable environmental management with the aim of ensuring that our towns are developed in such a way that the future generation would meet decent environment to live in”.
He emphasised the need for a master plan in Rivers State to regulate building construction across the 23 local government areas of the state in consonance with the sustainable development goals.
He asserts: “There is need for the creation of more estates around Oyigbo and Port Harcourt, the state capital to accommodate the growing population of the state. The idea will encourage those intending to build to go to new area to erect their buildings rather than erecting high-rise buildings and factories in some parts of the towns mapped out for bungalows and duplexes”.
Ken Ogbuokwe, however, charged architects to adhere strictly to their professional conduct in their dealing with clients.
He admonished architects to desist from appending their seals on proposed building drawings developed by quacks.

Bethel Toby