NIQS wants FG to establish cost data bank, appropriate standards

The institute says that poor enforcement of laws in Nigeria has caused the entire populace to be shortchanged. Good governance is consensus oriented, accountable, participatory, transparent, responsive, equitable and inclusive, it follows the rule of law; it should be effective and efficient.

MEMBERS of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) have advocated for the establishment of cost data bank with adequate dissemination of information to all stakeholders.

They are also making case for appropriate standards in the Nigerian built environment. According to the surveyors, international construction measurement standards are needed in Nigeria to grow the economy and enhance the activities of the industry, since Nigeria is said to be next to China in construction activities.

In a communiqué issued after its Biennial Conference held in Lagos Oriental Hotel, last week, on the theme: “Politics, Policies and National Development – The Role of Professionals”, NIQS observed that contracts are treated as sacred in most countries but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.

The document signed by   Secretary, Professional Development, Dr. Ejike Anunike, and
​​Secretary, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, ​Mr. Olujide Oke, noted that the nation’s culture is responsible for the underdevelopment being experience in Nigeria because most of the leaders do not see themselves as servants to the people they governed.

According to them, “good governance is consensus oriented, accountable, participatory, transparent, responsive, equitable and inclusive, it follows the rule of law; it should be effective and efficient.”

Besides, it was observed that the relationship between transparency and investment in direct, that is, the more transparent a country is, the more inward investment she receives and that there cannot be foreign investment if there is no respect for rules of engagement.

NIQS urged professional bodies to establish functional research arm in form of think tank and the outcome of the research made public; and professionals’ aspiration should be driven by the realization that as human beings, societal imperatives should be considered before those of professional interest.

They stated that poor enforcement of laws in Nigeria has caused the entire populace to be shortchanged, and to ensure accountability, a central body of professionals should be set up that will monitor and make those in government accountable, while the central body is expected to develop frameworks that will make government more accountable to the populace.

The institute also appealed to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to engage the services of quantity surveyors because they have the expertise in contract documentation, procurement and administration.