The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has criticized the exclusion of certified quantity surveyors in the costing component of the N15.36 trillion Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The project, which began in March 2024, has faced public scrutiny over its implementation and financial management.
Speaking ahead of the institute’s annual general meeting in Port Harcourt, NIQS President Kene Nzekwe highlighted the critical role of quantity surveyors in ensuring effective cost management and resource allocation for infrastructure projects. He expressed concern that excluding professionals in the costing phase could jeopardize the project’s success and lead to inefficiencies.
“Costing is crucial for project delivery, and quantity surveyors are the only certified cost managers in the construction industry,” Nzekwe stated. “If you eliminate those who provide these services and engage quacks, there is a high likelihood that project aspirations will not be achieved.”
Nzekwe stressed that the frequent abandonment of projects and incidents of building collapse across the country result from the non-involvement of certified professionals. He urged the Federal Government to review policies contributing to hyperinflation, which adversely affects the economy and large-scale projects like the highway.
He also called for the adoption of an engineering standard method of measurement to ensure consistency in construction components and enhance cost reliability.
“The role of quantity surveyors in capital projects, especially in these turbulent times, cannot be overstated. NIQS is ready to assist governments in managing scarce resources judiciously and responsibly,” he said.
The NIQS emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and industry professionals to ensure that national infrastructure projects are cost-effective, reliable, and delivered to standard.
