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The leadership of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is seeking closer partnership with members of the Nigeria Institute of Architects, NIA. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Barr Onofiok Luke made this known Monday, while playing host to the leadership and members of the Akwa Ibom state chapter of the NIA at the state assembly complex.
The Speaker described the architects as critical stakeholders in the industrialization drive of the present administration in the state. Barr. Luke, who stated the readiness of the House of Assembly to partner the state chapter of the NIA in the actualization of their set goals and objective, urged the institute not to hesitate to forward bills that would strengthen the laws of the state to the assembly for consideration. He assures the architects of the readiness of the legislature to partner them in strengthening the industrialization programe of the government. “You have become very critical partners in our push for a better society. Everybody has a part to play in making the society better. We equally want to make the partnership serious. If you see any area that you think we can help you strengthen relevant laws in your area, you send a bill to the House of Assembly for consideration. “Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is ready to partner the Nigeria Institute of Architects to rid the profession of quackery. I urge you to forward a bill to us in that direction and other areas you deem necessary. Government is in a drive towards industrialization and you are critical partners in our drive to industrialize the state, and we want those who have been paying tax to the state government to derive benefit of our partnership in the development of the state’’.
The leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Architects in the state, Arch. Iniobong Ukpong thanked the Speaker for receiving them. He congratulated him on the successful completion of the first legislative year of the sixth assembly, describing the past one year as impactful. “We have been following the activities of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. It has been one year of impactful and eventful legislative year’’.
Arch. Ukpong told the Speaker that he and his team were in the assembly to identify with the sixth assembly and its leadership and as well as seek areas of collaboration for the overall well being of the state. He said NIA has been actively involved in the promotion of state interest and has contributed significantly towards her development.
He however regretted that their role were not being appreciated, and appealed to the House of Assembly to help them tackle the infiltration of quacks into their profession, a development he feared could lead to incidence of collapsed building in the state if not checked. “We have been actively involved in the promotion of the states’ interest. Today’s visit to Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is considered significant by our chapter because it is geared towards cementing the relationship between Nigeria Institute of Architects and the House of Assembly’’.
The state NIA boss used the opportunity to formally invite the Speaker to the forthcoming national workshop of the body which will be holding at the Le-Meridian Ibom Hotel and golf Resort, Nwaniba in Uruan.
Present during the courtesy visit were, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Felicia Bassey, while those who accompanied the NIA Chairman to the House of Assembly include, The Cordinator, Professional Development Workshop, Arch Oto Udosen, State Vice-Chairman of NIA, Arc. Abimbola Oke. Others are Nsikak-Abasi Essien, Eno- Abasi Idara Francis and Joseph Akpan Amasi among others.
