NIQS decries non-involvement in building construction

By Bertram Nwannekanma

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has decried non-involvement of professionals in the construction sector.

Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the institute, Ayodele Alao, expressed this concern at a press conference to herald its yearly dinner dance and award night, titled: “Enhancing the performance of the construction sector of the Nigerian economy involving the right professionals.”

He lamented the non-involvement of professionals in quality control and supervision of building developments, according to global standards.

He said: “Recent example is the lack of involvement of professionals in the development of a 21-storey building that collapsed on November 1, 2021 at Ikoyi in Lagos.

“The NIQS has presented our position to the investigative panel set up by the Lagos State government. In a memorandum submitted, we offered our recommendations on ways government can mitigate incessant building collapse in Lagos and entire nation.

“Some of the recommendations included that the government should employ more qualified and registered professionals to strengthen and professionalise its agencies such as state’s Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA) and Building Control Agency (LABSCA).

“We also recommended that the extant laws need to be reviewed to allow for regulatory agencies and the state government to collaborate with qualified and registered private professionals as well as bodies in monitoring and enforcing strict compliance with approvals as well as building permits given for any development.”

Alao also called for patronage of professionals because of the importance of the construction sector to the nation’s economy as the construction sector is a key indicator to the political and social economic space of any nation.

He stressed that the forum would address challenges of the construction sector as well as reward deserving firms for their contributions to the sector. (Guardian)