Expert Tasks Govts On Professionalism In Project Execution

A quantity surveyor in
Port Harcourt, Mr Udoh Anete has urged governments at the federal, state and local government levels to involve quantity surveyors in the area of costing, procurement and management of public projects.
Making this known an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt on Saturday Udoh said that professionals should always restrict themselves to their area of competence.
He said that quantity surveyors should carry out documentation and manage the cost of all projects designed by architects and engineers in the country.
Udoh described quantity surveyors as ‘cost counter’ and that their role in effective construction project delivery in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.
According to him, “quantity surveyor is the mediator between the contractors and client who should be allowed to operate independently, adding that if the quantity surveyor was invited at the conception stage of projects, that there would be value for money spent on projects.
He said “cost counter is saddled with financial probity and achieving value for money in the conceptualisation, planning and execution of buildings and engineering projects.”
The housing professional also suggested that current international standard forms for contract used in Nigeria should be appraised and amended to suit domestic reality.
Udoh who is also a lecturer in the department of quantity surveying in a polytechnics in the country posited that indigenous contracting firms should be encouraged and used in the execution of projects, especially in sensitive and security risk projects.
He said “sign board at project sites should contain information on the cost of the project, funding  agency, size of project, commencement and completion dates procurement process should also be transparent, not just in advertising.

Corlins Walter