Governor Yahaya Bello has unveiled plans by his administration to partner the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) in executing the Lokoja Project 160 tailored at scaling up the environmental status of the metropolis as well as transforming the area into a beautiful model city.
Speaking at the just concluded 2017 World Architecture Day and flag-off of Lokoja Project 160 in the state capital, Governor Bello reiterated government’s commitment towards harnessing the resources in the state to ensure Kogi becomes a leading tourism hub as well as attain a healthy and aesthetically appealing status for investment.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Governor, Mrs. Folashade Arike, he further urged that “as we celebrate World Architecture Day, let’s take the time to look around our environment, marvel at the work of professional architects and contemplate initiatives that will assist in being mindful of the climate-change agenda.
He further reaffirmed the full support of his administration towards the Lokoja 160 projects as the state flags-off the new programme.
Earlier, the NIA President, Arc. Tonye Oliver Braide, disclosed that the Lokoja Project 160 would expand the window of opportunities in the state, while also noting that the project would have a direct impact on the development of tourism.
According to him, “an inflow of investments will come from the new wave of positivity that the government will exhale and the state will experience a transformation beyond imagination”.
He further noted that Architects have the power and responsibility to shape the future of the nation, while blaming the lack of political will and cogent backup of resources as factors hampering their goals.
He therefore appealed to stakeholders to support government in mobilizing the masses towards this course while noting that people are the greatest resources in the new urban agenda.
In his remark, the NIA Kogi State Chapter Chairman, Arc. Kayode Oloninisi noted that this years’ theme “Climate Change Action: Options for Architecture, provides architects with the viable options available for the discharge of their duties with particular regard to climate change and its challenges, as this is he added is relevant to Lokoja which experiences heat and flood cases annually.
He further added that the Lokoja Project 160 will focus on the restoration of age long and significant tourism sites, edge treatment, urban upgrade, establishment of city focal point and façade improvement and a generation of new attractions that will induce urban activities and commercial exchange.
Credit: The Graphic
