Anambra Calls for Experts to Curb Quackery in Building Sector

The Anambra State Government has urged experts and stakeholders in construction to maintain professional standards and fight against quackery in the building industry.

Chijioke Ojukwu, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, made this call during a meeting with professionals and industry players in Awka on Thursday.

The meeting included representatives from the Nigerian Institute of Builders, the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), among others.

Mr Ojukwu said that qualified professionals are key to successfully implementing physical planning and urban development policies. He stressed that sustainable and orderly urban growth can only happen with the active involvement of certified practitioners.

Tackling the Issue of Quackery

The commissioner shared his worries about the rising number of unqualified people working in the industry.

“Such individuals often infiltrate critical stages of the building construction value chain and secure contracts despite lacking the requisite qualifications,” Mr Ojukwu said. “This is partly responsible for structural failures and other avoidable incidents within the sector.”

He called for a better regulatory framework and stricter enforcement to ensure that only licensed professionals work in the state. He noted that these actions would promote accountability, improve construction standards, and better protect lives and property.

Boosting Transparency

To strengthen the sector further, the ministry is launching a more transparent and accountable process for assessing government development levies.

“This initiative is intended to eliminate ambiguity and close loopholes that may encourage corrupt practices,” the commissioner added.

Support from Stakeholders

Okey Nwosu, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Structural Engineers (NSSE), Onitsha Chapter, described the meeting as timely and productive. He said the forum allowed stakeholders to discuss real measures to clean up the sector and keep unqualified practitioners out of the system.

Emma Ifemedebe, a former chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, supported this. He said that proper planning is the base of development control. He stressed that development must follow careful planning to ensure that buildings are in suitable locations.