NIQS chief seeks sanctions for culprits in collapsed buildings

Those found culpable in building collapsed cases should be severely punished, President of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mrs. Mercy Iyortyer, has said.

This measure, according to her would put an end to multiple cases of collapsed buildings in the country.But to mete out the sanctions, the authorities including both the Federal and state governments must evolve laws that will clearly prescribe punishments for culprits.

Iyortyer, who spoke to journalists in Yola during the inauguration of the Adamawa state chapter of the association last week, said it was regrettable that must of the buildings were being constructed without consulting or obeying the rules of construction as stipulated by the relevant professionals.

At the inauguration of the 33rd chapter of NIQS, Iyortyer blamed the collapsed of buildings in the country to failure to strictly adhere to quantity surveyors’ advised, adding it had been noted repeatedly that many developers and clients alike are in the habit of cutting corners, thereby resulted to engaging quacks.

To address the problem, NIQS president advised the governments to always involve professional quantity surveyors on the board of public procurement.

“Involvement of professionals on the board will check quackery in the profession and it will save unnecessary cost and quality works will be done at a reasonable cost,” she stated.

In his remarks, Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, assured the institute that his government was prepared to assist and also patronize the services of the institute for effective cost for infrastructural development in the state.

The governor, who spoke through the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Musa Kaibo, commended the leadership of the institute for inaugurating a chapter in the state, which he said will enhanced productivity and professionalism.
The former commissioner for works and Housing Mr. Dauda Samuel Teneke, was inaugurated as the protem chairman of the institute in the state.