Role of Quantity Surveyors Crucial in Nigeria’s Infrastructural Development, Says NIQS President

Bennett Oghifo

President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), QS Kene C Nzekwe, FNIQS, has said that they play a pivotal role in the development and growth of Nigeria.
Nzekwe stated this during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, at the governor’s office in Port Harcourt, recently.

The NIQS president and his team were in in Rivers State to hold their Annual General Meeting tagged “Garden City 2024”, and this event holds alongside a National Conference of the Institute. The theme was, “Strengthening the Quantity Surveying Practices and Processes for Growth and Sustainability in a Turbulent Economy”.

According to him, “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. To this end, I would like to use this occasion of our visit to commend His Excellency the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his laudable developmental strides such as the ongoing construction project of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. The magnitude of this project traversing six local government areas of the state is a statement that the Governor desires that development quickly reaches every nook and cranny of the state. It is also difficult to miss the numerous road projects completed within this young administration, the funds channelled to health and education infrastructure, and the increase in internally generated revenue for the state. These instances are all evidence of the commendable efforts of your government thus far. Your dexterity for economic diversity and inclusion through agriculture and foreign direct investment is worthy of note.”
He said 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.

“Quantity Surveyors are indispensable professionals in the construction industry, specializing in cost management, ensuring financial efficiency, and maintaining the fiscal integrity of projects. We advocate for the active involvement of Quantity Surveyors in the cost management of all construction projects, including all engineering infrastructure projects that your government intends to embark upon in the State. By harnessing our expertise, we assure you that projects would not only be completed on time but also within budgets, thus maximizing the value for money for every Naira spent.

“In addition to advocating for the inclusion of Quantity Surveyors in the planning, execution and project management of all construction projects in the State, I would like to express our desire for your continuing support for the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Our local chapter plays a crucial role in fostering professional development, knowledge sharing, and community engagement. By supporting the activities of the Rivers State Chapter, we can collectively contribute to the growth and advancement of Quantity Surveying within the state to the overall benefit of Rivers State.

“By working collaboratively, we can ensure that the people of Rivers State benefit from well-executed and cost-effective infrastructure projects, while also providing meaningful employment opportunities for Quantity Surveyors. We extend an invitation to you and your esteemed administration to join hands with us in building a future where Quantity Surveyors contribute significantly to the prosperity of Rivers State.”