Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has urged the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to explore implementable frameworks that would guide both federal and state governments in achieving procurement systems that are fair, competitive, transparent, and development-oriented.
He stated this while declaring open a two-day NIQS national workshop/induction ceremony at Enugu.
He implored the NIQS to be a leading voice in shaping ethical and professional conduct within the environment, considering they are the gatekeepers of integrity in project delivery.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, he said the contributions of Quantity Surveyors in cost control, project monitoring, value engineering, and management are indispensable to the national drive for infrastructural and economic transformation.
The governor described the theme, ‘Standardising Procurement Excellence: Enhancing Transparency and Efficiency Through the Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement’s Standard Bidding Documents (SBD)’ as timely.
He noted that it resonates deeply not only with the aspirations of the people, but also with the current national and sub-national efforts to institutionalise transparency, eliminate leakages, and enhance value for money in public projects.
“By focusing on the standardisation of procurement processes, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors is contributing meaningfully to the retooling of our governance culture, anchored on accountability and results-based management.
“I must acknowledge and applaud the NIQS for maintaining a leading voice in shaping ethical and professional conduct within the built environment.
“Quantity Surveyors are more than cost estimators. You are gatekeepers of integrity in project delivery, critical players in ensuring that infrastructure investments are value-driven, cost-effective, and resilient.
“Your contributions in cost control, project monitoring, value engineering, and management are indispensable to the national drive for infrastructural and economic transformation,” he said.
He also commended the Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement and all other partners for their roles in shaping national conversation.
Mbah described Enugu State as a rising frontier for innovation, professional excellence, and service-driven governance, stressing that the government has placed public financial management reform at the core of its development strategy.
“Let me restate, for emphasis, that our entire governance processes are defined by the highest levels of accountability. This governance philosophy is not mere lip service; it has been wholly internalised.
The President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Kene Nzekwe, said the theme of the conference resonates deeply with the profession, stressing that it plays a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, efficiency, and value for money in procurement processes.
“The Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement Standard Bidding Documents provides a framework for achieving these objectives, and we are excited to explore its applications and best practices,” he said.
Nzekwe noted that the workshop would create the necessary atmosphere for greater synergy with the Bureau of Public Procurement.
He thanked Mbah, wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Ezinne Catherine Oyeme; the keynote speaker and Director-General of the Bureau, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and participants for their contributions to the workshop.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd), observed that the non-adherence to standards had been a major national malaise particularly in issues of procurement, making it difficult to win and sustain the confidence of investors, banks, contractors and foreign direct investments.
