FG seeks technologies to reduce man-hours in construction industry

• As quanitity surveyors pledge support to Ibadan varsity
The Federal Government has called on quantity surveyors to embrace emerging technologies and innovations that enable them to drastically reduce loss of man-hours.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who stated this at 2022 Yearly Assembly of Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) in Abuja, urged them to reposition the profession to address new development challenges in the construction industry.

He explained that advancement in science and technology can accomplish most professional tasks and with a better input, adding, “For you to be relevant quantity surveyors, there is a need for continuous capacity building.

“As part of the developmental agenda of Buhari administration to address housing need of citizens, the government inaugurated a pragmatic National Housing Programme (NHP) for the construction of affordable houses nationwide.”

The minister further stated that government is promoting local content in line with Executive Order 3 and 5 to ensure the use of only local building materials in the NHP and production to stimulate the economy.

Earlier, the QSRBN President, Murtala Aliyu, who conducted the ceremony in Abuja, said the board has inducted 388 newly registered quantity surveyors to enable them practice in Nigeria.

Aliyu urged them to hold on to the ethics of the profession as well as work hard to maintain construction measurement standards.

He also restated the core values of board, which are transparency, accountability and integrity, adding that their vision and mandate is to be the best regulatory body in Africa and one of the best in the world.

He called on the inductees to remain resolute and continue to work for the development and interest of quantity surveyors, stressing that they should make use of new technologies to improve the profession.
MEANWHILE, the President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Olayemi Shonubi, has pledged the support of the institute to the new University of Ibadan administration in ensuring success in all areas possible.

Shonubi stated this during a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who received members of NIQS.

He assured the VC of their willingness to give the needed professional support and ensure that a Quantity Survey Department in the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management stands firm.

Adebowale welcomed all possible assistance from the body and assured institute of the commitment of the management to the development of the new department.

He explained that the take-off of the department was being hampered by the Federal Government’s embargo on recruitment, adding that as soon as the embargo was lifted the department will take off.

Other members of the visiting team were Chairman, Oyo chapter, Bamidele Mafimidiwo; Sec. Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Stephen Akintunde; Prof. Olubola Babalola; Secretary, International Affairs, Bolaji Sotunde; Olufisayo Ogunjimi; Oladoye Abiola; Ayo Siyanbola; Mr. Akwa Etiene and Ms. Gloria Ifiorah. Others from Oyo State Chapter include Kolawole Fadayomi, Dr. Tunde Adesiyan; Eghenure Francis; Hakeem Adebiyi, Abiodun Oyeleke and Feyisetan Leo-Olagbayi.

Present at the occasion were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju; Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Prof. W.B. Wahab; Samuel Olaniyan, Physical Planning and Project Management; Deputy Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Morenike Afolabi and the Public Relations Officer, Directorate of Public Communication, Mrs. Adejoke Akinpelu.