NIQS Calls for Reliable Construction Industry Cost-database

Bennett Oghifo

The President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), QS Kene Christopher Nzekwe has said that recent events in Nigeria, such as the effects of hyperinflation on the economy and its impact on cost management of construction projects, have revealed the need for a reliable Construction Industry Cost-database. 

“In the same vein, the NIQS has taken the bull by the horn to champion a reliable cost-database for the industry. This is geared towards contributing meaningful data and indices to the National Statistics when it comes to construction and to create a veritable database for estimation and cost management of construction projects.”

Nzekwe stated this at a two-day zonal workshop on ‘Building a Resilient Cost-Based Knowledge Economy in the Nigerian Construction Industry: Evolving a Cost Database for Estimation and Cost Management of Construction Projects’ held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.

Nzekwe said, “It is therefore incumbent on the NIQS at this material time to provide the construction industry in Nigeria a reliable cost database that would meet every global standard of what a reliable cost database should be. 

“Thus far the cost database committee of the institute is working assiduously to make this project a reality.

“The development and growth of any country or state is highly dependent on her level of infrastructure development and the commitment of the leadership to continue to ensure infrastructure delivery.” 

He commended the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde “for his laudable developmental trajectories such as the “Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State”. This roadmap muted in 2019 rests on four pillars of education, healthcare, security and the adoption of the State to use agribusiness to drive the economy of the State has shown visible results even to the casual visitors to Oyo State.”

He said “In a country like Nigeria, where infrastructure development is crucial for economic prosperity and societal well-being, and with the apparent interest of your government to develop infrastructure in various sectors, the role of quantity surveyors cannot be overstated. 

“You can equate Quantity Surveyors to custodians of efficiency, who ensure that all types of construction projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

“Therefore, in our bid to strengthen our members for the discharge of efficient expert cost services, evolving a cost database for estimation and cost management of construction projects is vital.”

The guest speaker, Prof. Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, who is the Commissioner, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Oyo State noted that “the construction industry in the country is faced with a lot of challenges in the present instability of prices of goods and services; the theme of this workshop is indeed relevant in a time like this. 

“To establish a Database which would enable the government to get value for money as well as the contractor to breakthrough in his business, it is pertinent for the Professionals to rise up to this challenge and save the country at this crucial time.

“In your position as the custodian of the project’s cost estimators of the multi million naira investments in the construction industry, Quantity Surveyors perform a vital role in ensuring that Government’s projects are implemented in line with global best practices.

“Depending on the efficiency level and effectiveness with which this role is performed, it is arguable that the construction industry’s ability to contribute to the economic and social development of the country can be improved if there are bases for database estimations. In view of this, the present administration would be willing to maintain cordial relationship with all relevant professional bodies and the contractors in the state towards ensuring necessary growth and development.”