Quantity surveyors back FG on loan for infrastructure projects

With building and construction industry being one of the hardest-hit by the recession, quantity surveyors said the move by the federal government to secure loan for infrastructure projects would help revive the construction industry.

The President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Mrs. Mercy Iyortyer who spoke at ajob fair organised by the institute in Abuja, urged the government to engage professionals as part of prudent management of projects.

According to Iyortyer, “once the construction industry is up and running, it will have a multiplier effect and there will be employment in the education sector, manufacturing, consultancy among others.

“The economic recession is seriously affecting us and the government is also concerned about this. That is why government is going to borrow money for infrastructure projects because they know the impact it will have on the generality of Nigerians.

“At a time like this, we need an efficient management of the resources in the country, government must engage all the professionals that are part of prudent management of resources to oversee projects efficiently. Quantity surveyors are project and resources managers, we also have other professionals as part of a team that can be able to properly manage the resources of this country, if given the chance.”

On the dominance of foreigners in the industry, she t said: “The dominance of expatriates in the industry is due to the non passage of the local content bill, once the bill is passed, it will become mandatory for firms to have a specified percentage of indigenous surveyors in their work force and this will address the anomalies.

“In the engineering construction industry, most of them are foreigners but in the built industry, we have a lot of indigenous firms that have excelled.”

She noted that the construction industry is a versatile and employment generating industry with its multiplier effects, adding the issue of unemployment should be tackled by both government and the private sector.

Iyortyer observed that the job fair provides platform for job seekers to meet and interact with prospective employers with the aim of being gainfully employed and also make it possible for employers to engage the best brains that are keen to add value to their organizations.

“Quantity surveyors are trained as cost and procurement manager, they ensure there is value for money for projects, provide prudent costing in order to maximize profits,” NIQS president said.