Quantity surveyors pledge to reduce expenses on infrastructure

Quantity surveyors in public service under the auspices of the Association of Quantity Surveyors in Public Service (AQSPS) have vowed to reduce expenses in the development of infrastructure in the country.

This, they said, would address the nation’s current economic situation, which is in line with the vision of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to minimise the cost of projects.

Chairman, AQSPS Lagos State chapter, Adesanya Adetola, made the remarks during a two-day visit of the National Chairman of Quantity Surveyors in Public Service and the inauguration of the chapter.

Adetola said the body has taken drastic measures to bring professionalism among members.

These measures, he said, include, advancing opportunities for members in the public service, structuring a mentorship scheme to encourage them and creating social platforms to enhance smooth working relationships between members.

He also solicited support from stakeholders to take the chapter to a greater height, as well as give the society better service that would make it be at par with other notable professional bodies in the world.

Earlier, the zonal coordinator of the Association of Quantity Surveyors in Public Service (AQSPS), Fausat Ajibade, expressed gratitude to the national body for the inauguration of the branch.

She said the inauguration is the first in the history of the association to be and expressed hope that it would be replicated in other states of the federation.

She said: “As we strive for a great Nigeria, we understand that the actualisation of every government policy is brought about by professionals, who carry out both the specifics and the general requirements of the civil service.

“As quantity surveyors, working with other allied professionals, capacity development is essential to evolving situations and trends in the construction industry, to foster objectives of the various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s), which we all represent.

“In this vein, I will want to appreciate NIQS for allowing the constitution of AQSPS to undertake issues that are germane to quantity surveyors within the public service.

“Our desire is to demystify our propensity of doing and exhibit our capacity of execution.

“We plan to expand our membership to all federal, state and councils. While Lagos State stands as the centre of excellence, we intend to be a model of the association for other states to emulate.”

The event was intended as a means of collaboration between quantity surveyors at the different tiers of government, to promote knowledge exchange, to provide a platform for representation of the quantity surveyors within the public service and honour retiring senior officers.