An Abuja-based Architect, Dr. Hassan Olawale Giwa has charged the present administration in Oyo State to come up with modern laws and measures that will encourage the people to subscribe to modern ways of building their houses.
Arc Giwa attributed the influx of accidental structures that have dominated some new settlements across the state like Akanran, Amuloko, Moniya, Olomi-Olunde axis of Ibadan to lack of study and understanding of the Master Plan by previous governments, as far back as 1999.
Giwa, who is the Managing Director of Palm Height Estate, gave the submission while featuring on Parrot Xtra Media Network’s weekly radio show, “Ayekooto on Radio” anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Lagelu 96.7 FM, Ibadan recently.
The award-winning architect acknowledged that the government has deviated from the original Master Plan by the founding fathers of the state, who designed places such as Felele, Oke-Ado, Oke-Bola, Bodija, Oluyole among others.
He urged all relevant stakeholders in the building construction sector to go back to the drawing board to correct the obvious anomalies.
According to him, “I am from Ibadan but the deficit infrastructural development in Ibadan is of great concern to me. Places such as Amuloko, Akaran, Amuloko, Moniya, Olomi-Olunde ought to be more modern-day settlements but you will be surprised to see the kind of structures coming up in such places.”
Arc Giwa stated that infrastructural developments like good road network, potable water supply and good drainage system are pointers to massive development in every state.
“What differentiates a location from another location is infrastructure, if the government puts certain infrastructures in place, people will be more than willing to subscribe and key in to the plan of the government.”
He, however, charged prospective house owners to consult professional builders and architects in matters relating to building of houses, while reaffirming that the effect of good housing is encompassing as it affects the general well-being of the people.
Giwa further reiterated that government at all levels must come up with strict measures and laws that will discourage people from patronizing quacks, and to check the influx of non-professionals in the building industry to address the incessant collapse of buildings in the country.
“I want to call on the governments at all levels in Nigeria-, federal, state and local to create an enabling environment and modern laws that will effectively and efficiently enhance quality service delivery in the building construction sector. This will go a long way in addressing incessant building collapse in the country by allowing people who are professionals to handle building construction projects.”
Arc Giwa also revealed that structural engineers and the architects are like Siamese twins that cannot be separated, noting that architects design a structure for functionality and aesthetics purposes, while a structural engineer builds and ensures that it can stand the test of time.
Speaking on his motivation to study Architecture, the founder of HOG Foundation, disclosed that his father was instrumental to his decision to pursue a career in the profession that is related to building and construction. He added that his interest was further ignited while during his secondary school days, he developed passion for carving, sketching, drawing and sign writing.
The youthful Architect also emphasized that his mission to join politics is to affect more lives positively in the society and contribute his own quota to the development of people and the society at large.
Giwa maintained that politics should not be left in the hands of idle and unemployed people who have no interest of the masses at heart, rather, urged the professionals in diverse fields to actively join politics in order to contribute their quota to the development of their country.
“If you have any resources, it might be for you and your family and to help a few others. But if you are in government, you will be able to help many. I believe that it is not rich men that help people but only those that have good hearts.”
While speaking on his HOG Foundation, Arc noted that the foundation has been touching lives positively for over 16 years, saying that it has extended the philanthropic gesture to people across sectors such as education, health, agriculture, sports and vocations and empowerment.
“When we started over 16 years ago, we started with nothing but now we have been able to impact lives positively through the provision of free medical health care to the needy, distribution of stationery, uniforms to students in schools, supply of furniture to schools, giving bursary to indigent students, widow and aged empowerment among others.
Arc Giwa, therefore, reiterated his commitment to the development of his constituency, Lagelu/Akinyele, Oyo State and Nigeria at large through various developmental initiatives by his HOG Foundation.
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