Why $2m LafargeHolchim sustainable construction awards is relevant to Nigeria
Citing the huge population of over 170 million, the rapid rate of urbanisation in Nigeria projected to be the third-biggest in the world by 2050 and the pressing need for sustainable urban design and construction in the country, officials of Lafarge Africa Plc, a member of the LafargeHolchim have said that the USD2 million LafargeHolchim Sustainable Construction Awards is relevant to the country.
The LafargeHolchim awards, the 5th in the series of the sustainable construction competition is seeking smart solutions for cities and the built environment. The project competition in sustainable design seeks projects that go beyond balancing environmental performance, social responsibility and economic development among engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, projects owners, students and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The Awards open to students and professionals in 90 countries where the group operates, seeks to recognise and reward high profile projects from professionals as well as bold ideas from construction solutions with architectural excellence.
Already, 26 participants from Nigeria including 14 professionals and 12 students have submitted entries for the international awards which commenced on July 4, 2016 and closes for submissions on March 21, 2017.
Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos, expressed delight that more Nigerians are tapping into the opportunity offered by the awards. “Nigerian professionals and students participating in the competition live and work in some of fastest growing cities in the world. The competition is therefore an opportunity to address the myriad challenges of urbanisation as it develops.
“In Nigeria, like many other emerging economies, urbanisation is outstripping the pace at which homes, offices, roads and bridges are being built. An infrastructure deficit and low degree of industrialisation coupled with the amount of natural resources required highlight the important role which the construction industry will play in the socio-economic and environmental future of Nigeria”, he stated.
At a media chat in Lagos at the weekend, Head, Sustainability and Corporate Brand, Lafarge Africa Plc, Temitope Oguntokun explained further that the competition seeks projects or ideas that embody the target issues for sustainable construction- Progress, People, Planet, Prosperity and Place- which provides the opportunity to institute the principles of sustainability for future constructions.
Oguntokun added that projects should, in addition, exemplify architectural excellence; a high degree of transferability and thereby extend notions of sustainable construction throughout all stages of a project’s lifecycle.
Head, Corporate Communications, Ade Ojolowo buttressed that the award is coming to Nigeria as a result of the merger of Lafarge and Holchim, the two giant cement manufacturers.
Prize money for regional phase of the award divided into main and next generation categories include LafargeHolchim awards Gold $100; Silver $50,000 and Bronze $30,000. It also has a prize tag of $20,000 for three acknowledgement awards while the prize for the next generation award varies from $10,000 to $25,000.
An Amsterdam based Nigerian architect and urban planner, Kunle Adeyemi of NLE Works, won the acknowledgement prize of the award in 2014.
Kayode Aboyeji
