Nigerian Institution of Surveyors has called on the government for a review of land administration policy,with specific reference to Ogun State.

The Chairman, African Planning Association, Waheed Kadiri, made this call at the investiture of the state chairman of the association and the swearing in of new executive members held at OlusegunObasanjo Presidential Library complex, Abeokuta.

According to Kadiri, a former national President of the institution, Ogun State has 167.6 million hectares of land,and 3.7 million population, positing that with the figures, an individual can have access to 44 hectares.

He pointed out that by law, governors were to hold land in trust, but added that in holding the land in trust, they had no right to take undue advantage over the land.

He said, “There must be a review of land administration policy.”

Kadiri, who was the chairman of the occasion, also called on members of the institution to limit themselves to their level of competence, adding that as surveyors, they should not see themselves capable of doing town planners’ job.

He said, “Let us limit ourselves to our competence. We should know our competence. We should know our limit. As a surveyor, you cannot coordinate the work of architects, and town planners. As professionals, we should know our limit.”

In his welcome address, immediate Chairman of the institute, Adetunji Adegunle, said the body was aware of the lack of clear land policy in the state, stating that most of the prime lands in Ogun State were under acquisition.

He said, “Although global acquisition is alien to the Land Use Act, we have accepted our fate in the acquisitions.

He said, it was generally established that government alone could not develop any nation, but in partnership with the private sector.

He called on the state government to unlock the state land.

He said, “The cost of land allocation in the state is not favourable to the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises. Most farmers cannot afford the cost of state land.

“If we really want citizens of the state to diversify into agriculture and other industries, we need to review the cost of land. High cost of land in any state is short-term benefit but what we want in this time of change is an enduring legacy.”

However, the new state Chairman, Nureni Ashaye, in his acceptance speech, lamented that the non-creation of office of Surveyor-General of Ogun State as extra-ministerial department was a great concern to surveying stakeholders in the state.

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Mercy Iyortyer is the President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. In this interview with MAUREEN IHUA-MADUENYI, the first female president of the professional body says quantity surveyors are needed more now for prudent costing of capital projects in the face of dwindling resources

What effect is the current economic situation of the country having on the profession of quantity surveying?

The current economic situation is having far reaching effect on quantity surveying practice in Nigeria just like it is having on all activities in the construction industry. It is usually the case that when there is a downturn in economic activities of a country, the construction industry is normally the first casualty. Government slashes expenditure on construction projects. Consequently, quantity surveyors, being professionals involved in cost and procurement management of capital projects, have been negatively affected. It is worthy of note that in some other climes, the government channels resources into the housing and construction subsector as a deliberate strategy of stimulating the economy, because of its multiplier effects, and it is our hope and prayer that the government will borrow a leaf from that.

The Senate recently passed the Public Procurement Act, 2007 Amendment Bill, what does this mean for the quantity surveyor?

There seems to be low awareness of quantity surveying even in government; what is your take on this and what can be done to change it?

We are trying our best to step up awareness about the quantity surveying profession in Nigeria. Rome was not built in a day. Presently, we are engaged in sustained advocacy visits to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government and other major stakeholders in the industry to raise awareness on the inherent competencies of quantity surveyors. We have also engaged the media in these awareness efforts. The efforts will continue as we have no intention to relent.

Where does the quantity surveyor come into play considering the economic downturn and the need to get maximum value from infrastructure projects at this time?

Quantity surveyors are experts in the total cost and procurement management of capital projects. They are also trained and equipped to ensure value for money on infrastructure projects. So, engaging quantity surveyors will go a long way in ensuring that the government realises maximum benefits from its investment in capital projects. We are needed now more than ever for prudent costing of capital projects so as to achieve optimal use of the dwindling resources occasioned by the fall in oil price and its attendant effect on the economy.

Most professionals in the built environment complain about foreign incursion.What has been the NIQS’ experience in this regard?

This is indeed a disturbing phenomenon to all professionals and more particularly to those of us in the built environment. Nigerian professionals are highly proficient in their chosen fields of expertise. So, denying them participation robs them of rewarding engagements and opportunities of upgrading their skills and capacities continually. There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel, as we understand that the proposed amendment of the Public Procurement Bill by the National Assembly is to wholesomely address the local content initiative.

What has been the biggest challenge of quantity surveying in Nigeria?

The biggest challenge to quantity surveying in the country has been and remains the failure of the government to fully take advantage of the inherent competencies of quantity surveyors and engage them in critical infrastructural projects across the country.

Building collapse has for some time now remained a topical issue. How can quantity surveyors help to end this menace?

Building collapse incidences have been on the increase and this means that we still have not got it right as a people. As quantity surveyors, we encourage clients and building owners to always get to know the cost estimate of their projects from qualified and registered quantity surveyors before commencing any construction work.

It is obvious that the major causes of building collapse revolve around cost avoidance. If quantity surveyors are engaged to provide prudent costing of projects, clients and building owners can plan and execute their projects properly without compromising on designs, approval and construction processes. All stakeholders’ hands must also be on deck to fight this ugly and deadly incidence of building collapse.

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