By OKON OKON

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has expressed concerns over the non-inclusion of its members in major construction projects.

It cited this as a contributing factor to incidents of building collapse and poor road constructions in the country.

Mr Kene Nzekwe, President of the NIQS, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, on the institute’s forthcoming 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference, scheduled to take place from November 26 to 29 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the conference themed, “Strengthening Quantity Surveying Practices and Processes for Growth and Sustainability in a Turbulent Economy,” reflected the urgent need to bolster the quantity surveying profession to effectively respond to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Nzekwe emphasised that quantity surveyors were well-trained and competent to handle major construction projects, and that anyone avoiding them was also involved in quackery.

He further stated that the forthcoming conference was a call to action for practitioners to adapt, innovate, and advocate for the involvement of qualified professionals in all construction projects.

“The NIQS has made significant innovative achievements, including the development of a comprehensive cost database for the construction industry, known as the NIQS Building and Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (BESMM 4R).

“This database will provide reliable data for accurate cost estimation and informed decision-making in project planning and execution.”

Nzekwe advised practitioners in the building sector to embrace the NIQS initiatives to enhance their work and deliver greater value through efficient project cost management.

He also advised the government to take decisive steps to align project plans with realistic resource availability and to enforce strict adherence to procurement guidelines. (NAN)