Quantity surveyors seek FG’s intervention in construction sector

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the challenges facing the construction industry.

Speaking at the 2024 NIQS yearly General Meeting and National Conference, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIQS President, Kene Nzekwe, attributed the challenges facing the industry to the current economic turbulence, including the floating of the naira and the deregulation of the downstream sector.

The conference, themed “Strengthening the Quantity Surveying Practices and Processes for Growth and Sustainability in a Turbulent Economy,” provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the construction industry and to proffer solutions.

Nzekwe said: “Construction projects are abandoned because of the turbulence in the economy due to the floating of the naira and deregulation of the downstream sector. Clients have seen that their projection in terms of what they budget to deliver projects have been overshot because of hyperinflation in the economy, which affects the construction industry.”

He emphasised the need for the government to take measures to cushion the effects of these challenges on the construction industry. Nzekwe suggested that the government ensure that cost elements are included in building plans and that certified professionals are engaged to work on projects.

NIQS president also called on the government to ensure timely approval for building plans and necessary tests conducted on the topography of the soil. He emphasised that the use of qualified professionals and the right approvals can eliminate incidents of building collapse.

Nzekwe noted that quantity surveyors play a critical role in ensuring that construction projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

The President of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), Obafemi Onashile, urged quantity surveyors to adapt and innovate in the face of the current economy. He said the economy presents both challenges and opportunities for quantity surveyors, emphasising that quantity surveyors must be resilient, flexible, and innovative.

Onashile encouraged them to bring in new ideas and services to stay ahead of the competition. He also stressed the importance of marketing and collaboration in the industry. “The individual quantity surveyor and the firm must take marketing as part of their survival essentials,” he said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Ferdinand Alabraba, represented by Emmanuel Asawo, advocated strengthening and sustaining the quantity surveying profession.

While noting that the current economic situation makes it challenging for quantity surveyors to keep costs within budget, he emphasised the need for members to acquire the necessary tools to maintain projects within budget, which will be beneficial to all practitioners.

Alabraba also encouraged quantity surveyors to participate in politics and national development, noting that their profession seems to be underrepresented in these areas.

He observed that other professionals, such as lawyers and engineers, are well-represented in various spheres of life.

Alabraba also called on young quantity surveyors to pursue their careers, while also seeking to serve the nation in other capacities.