A Past president of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr Samson Emiowele has urged partnership between the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning regarding yearly budget formulations and development plans with respect to infrastructure projects.
Emiowele, who spoke at the NIQS Leadership Retreat in Abuja, said the current method of putting arbitrary figures on infrastructural projects for inclusion in budgets is regrettable, adding that well researched and articulated information by the institute would most salutary to the budgeting process.
He also proposed that the institute consider strategic partnerships with the Federal Government through some of the specialised agencies, legislature, parastatals, media and advertising agencies and cognate professional bodies.
Speaking on ‘Building Strategic Partnerships: Highlighting the Importance of Partnerships and Collaborations in Advancing NIQS Goals,’ Emiowele said institute could provide collaborative information regarding the materials relevant to the construction industry sector with the Bureau of Statistics, a parastatal of the Federal Government that provides the price movement indices of all the materials within the national economy.
He also suggested the institute partner with national newspapers that provide monthly market surveys on construction materials, some universities and polytechnic from different zones to sponsor cutting edge research on any aspect of construction costs, as well as local councils or any other agency to carry out beautification in parks or public squares.
Emiowele further suggested partnership with a public relations organisation and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to organise economic construction costs and project procurement management exhibitions yearly.
“Collaborate with the National Universities Commission (NUC) National Board for Technical Education (NABTE), Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) on the appropriate matriculation requirements for students pursuing the quantity surveying profession periodically,” he added.
Another past president, Mr Agele Alufohai, while examining international trends in quantity surveying and how the institute can align with global best practices, said incorporating these trends into the Nigerian construction sector, both in public and private projects, can contribute significantly to the country.
He noted that the adoption of Building Information modeling (BIM) technology is increasing globally, allowing stakeholders to collaborate more efficiently throughout the construction process. Nigeria can invest in BIM training for professionals and mandate its use in public construction projects, as the technology enhances project visualisation, coordination, and reduces errors, ultimately improving the efficiency of the construction process.
While noting increased focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the construction industry, Alufohai said Nigeria should implement green building standards and incentivise sustainable construction practices through tax benefits and other policy measures. According to him, this will contribute to environmental conservation and enhance the long-term durability of structures.
He stated that automation and digital tools are streamlining quantity surveying processes, reducing manual errors and improving accuracy, adding that Nigeria can invest in digital tools, software, and training for quantity surveyors to enhance accuracy, speed, and transparency in project cost estimation and management.
Alufohai, who also canvassed resilience planning, said incorporating resilience planning into construction regulations and standards ensure that structures are designed to withstand local environmental challenges, contributing to long-term durability.
He also laid emphasis on regulatory compliance and ethics, adding that strengthening regulatory frameworks, enforcing compliance with industry standards, and promoting ethical practices will enhance the reputation of the construction sector and attract more investments.
For Husaini Dikko, a fellow of the institute, NIQS should make a conscious effort to identify and develop competences that will remain relevant into the future in further development in modern technologies and leverage on the mentorship arrangement to achieve it.
He said: “NIQS should also establish a unit that will constantly monitor the impact of ‘disruptive technologies’ on the practice of quantity surveying and proffer relevant solutions, as well as form a unit that will assist in matching suitable mentors and mentees together. “The first step is to encourage experienced practitioners to indicate the specific areas which they have relevant experience in and are interested in mentoring others in those fields,” he said.
Earlier, NIQS president, Kene Nzekwe, said the retreat holds special significance, “as we have the privilege of hearing from each of our past presidents, who, drawing from their rich experiences, will share insights that transcend time. Your perspectives, wisdom, and unique journeys will undoubtedly inspire and guide us as we collectively envision the path forward.”
