The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects has called on residents to engage the services of qualified architects in building residential and office complexes as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Architecture Day,

The Chairman of the state chapter of the NIA, Wilson Agbonta, who stated this in Benin on Monday, noted that this year’s theme, “Housing is a right, Build it right,” was apt in view of present-day happenings.

Agbonta stated that housing should not be seen as a privilege but as a fundamental human right, urging Edo State residents to recognise the consequences of building wrongly.

He stated that building collapses and incessant flooding were results of poor planning, adding that quacks had taken over building sites.

He said, “This year, we have chosen to address a fundamental issue with our theme: Housing is a Right, build it right. For us at Edo NIA, housing is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. But in our dear state, we see daily the consequences of building wrong.

“We see buildings collapse, we see flooding due to poor planning, we see quackery taking over our sites, we see beautiful lands being abused by unprofessional hands. That is why we are launching a statewide campaign with the simple but powerful question for every Edo citizen: ‘Who is your Architect”, he said.

He said the executive members of the chapter had resolved to “Restore constitutional systems and proper operations to the NIA Edo State Chapter by revamping the hopes of her members in her own affairs through transparency, engagements, mobilization and inclusion.”

He said the executive committee was also integrating the chapter into the activities of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, ensuring full compliance with the NIA constitution and bye-laws, and ensuring that chapter activities were reported to the NIA as stipulated.