Amaechi Tasks Professionals On Integrity

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has challenged professionals in the construction sector of the economy to an integrity test on trust and accountability.

Governor Amaechi threw this challenge Monday at a two-day conference of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors with the theme “Achieving enhanced value in construction projects delivery: impact of appropriate risk management strategy”, at Aiport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi, who is also Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, urged professionals to ensure that “projects executed across the country meet globally accepted standards in terms of delivery, sustainability, good value and durability”.

He noted that it is the widespread lack of integrity on their part in project handling and supervision, that has led to the current widespread infrastructural failure across the country, adding that for “the country to overcome this malaise, quantity surveyors must ensure that appropriate materials at the right cost are used in the construction of public infrastructure”.

In her keynote address, the Minister of Housing, Ms Ama Pepple, represented by Director of Quantity Survey in the ministry, Mr. Babtunde Runsewe, said that the ministry has developed a policy document to enable professionals meet the challenges of ensuring the construction and delivery of projects that are safe, secure and durable, to overcome the current high frequency of collapsed buildings.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashiola, represented by Engr. Tayo Gbamgbose, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works, called for enhanced skills and professional knowledge through increased training to reduce risks and overcome the present poor performance on public infrastructure.

Earlier in his welcome address, the president, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Mr. Agele Alufohaj said that the concept of risk management in construction projects involves planning ahead to ensure that projects are delivered on time and at cost, adding that factors that pose risks on projects for intended users need to be seen and checked.