Practitioners under the auspices of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) have been urged to embrace cutting-edge technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of cost management services in the country.
By doing so, the new president of NIQS, Mr Kene Nzekwe, said members would be able to mitigate the risks associated with cost overruns, delays and super project outcomes.
Nzekwe made the call in his inaugural speech during his investiture as 27th president of NIQS in Abuja.
He assured members that his administration would be committed to providing more structured and targeted capacity building for members, enabling them to take advantage of new trends in the construction industry and improving employability and consultancy services engagement opportunities for both members and practice firms.
“The construction industry is evolving rapidly, with new trends and technologies emerging daily. We must equip our members with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this changing landscape. Our journey towards sustainable infrastructure projects delivery requires a steadfast commitment to innovation,” he said.
Nzekwe described the investiture dinner as the crescendo of 30th Biennial Conference and General Meeting of NIQS with the theme ‘Integrated Cost Management Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Delivery: A Key to National Economic Development.’
He said his vision for the institute and profession was deeply rooted in the principles of integrity, collaboration and continuous improvement.
He promised to work within the confines by the constitution of NIQS and that of Nigeria, describing them as the bedrock of ethical practice.
He assured that he would uphold these values and principles, ensuring that the profession remains a paragon of integrity.
On stakeholders› engagement, the newly sworn-in president of NIQS, said it has become imperative to adapt and evolve in this age of rapid change and dynamic, promising to embark on massive strategic and collaborative stakeholders› engagement to advance the quantity surveying profession in Nigeria.
“We must foster partnerships with government, industry leaders, and academia to keep our profession relevant and at the forefront of national development.
“The aim is to do this via effective SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. This would be a valuable tool for assessing and improving stakeholder engagement.
“We also aim to enter into reciprocity arrangements with other national associations to assist international mobility of labour among members,” he said.
He said his administration also aimed to complete the NIQS Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN project on the development of a cost database.
The cost database, he said, has become necessary for many reasons ranging from data-driven decision making cost estimation accuracy to benchmarking against historical data to identify best practices; market intelligence, transparency and accountability.
He said “A hallmark of a respected profession is the conduct of its members. We will ensure the effective implementation of the institute›s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to improve the ethical behavior and culture of our members.
“We must be known for our unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and professionalism.”
He promised to support the Young Quantity Surveyors’ Forum (YQSF), Women Association of Quantity Surveyors in Nigeria (WAQSN), Fellows’ Forum and other organs of the institute, describing them as the lifeblood of the profession.
“We are dedicated to providing the enabling environment for these organs to thrive and contribute maximally to the NIQS.
“We are committed to improving the institutes revenue base, exploring innovative avenues, and ensuring that our financial resources are managed efficiently and transparently.
“We want to do this without transferring any additional financial burden to members,” the NIQS president said
He said he would be committed to working tirelessly to take the profession to the next level, calling for the support of members to make history and shape the future.
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