The minister of power, works & housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has challenged quantity surveyors to use their skills and knowledge to address the high cost of construcing projects in the country for value maximization.
He stated this in Abuja yesterday at the 2019 Annual Assembly of registered QS and induction of newly registered QS and practising firms, organised by the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN).
Speaking on the theme, ‘Strengthening the Quantity Surveyors Profession in Nigeria for Global Competitiveness’, he said that the problems associated with the provision, renewal and replacement of critical public infrastructure in Nigeria required the involvement of construction industry professionals especially registered QS.
He maintained that with emphasis placed on investment in infrastructure under the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP) of federal government that registered QS are relevant group of professionals with their unique training as cost experts in the construction industry.
The minister who was represented by the Director of Quantity Surveying in the ministry, QS Pemi Temitope asserted that QS are needed to ensure that projects are executed at minimal costs adding that the ministry has identified the maintenance of infrastructure as a priority to this administration.
He was hopeful that improved maintenance of public buildings, roads and other infrastructure would enable government derive maximum benefit from the facilities, deliver improved public services, stimulate economic growth, create jobs and improve the living standard of Nigerians.
On his part, the president of QSRBN, Qs Murtala Aliyu said that as Nigerian economy is growing in size, that the population is growing adding that there is a need for more competent hands in Quantity surveying profession.
Also speaking, the president of NIQS, QS Obafemi Onashile noted that NIQS is at the forefront of promoting standards in the construction industry, saying that the institute has increased its participation in global affairs.
Meanwhile, Fashola has reiterated President Buhari’s commitment to expanding the Nigerian economy through the provision of critical infrastructure. According to a statement from the ministry, Fashola noted that infrastructure development remains the gateway to sustainable economy and development across the globe.
The Minister said this when he received members of Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria (FOCI) who paid him a courtesy call in his Office yesterday. He explained that the Ministry is almost completing 34 pilot National Housing programmes in the 34 States that have provided land for the take-off of the programme, adding that rehabilitation and reconstruction of Federal Secretariats are also going on in Bayelsa, Anambra, Zamfara and Nasarawa States.
The Minister stated that power generation has increased from 4, 000 MW in 2015 to 8, 000 megawatts in 2018, adding that feedbacks shows that Nigerians now spend less on fueling of generators and plants because of frequent and improved electricity supply nationwide.
He said the federal government recognises the efforts of the Association in helping to galvanise the quarry and mining industry due to the volume of construction going on in the built environment and the road sector.
He said “When I first met you, there were complains of non- payment for three to four years before the coming of this Administration. But I can confidently say there is not one year since the beginning of this Administration that contractors have not been paid, and the money moves round the economy.”
