‘RSG Determined To Accredit RSUST Courses’

The Rivers State Government has commenced the process of accreditation of Quantity Survey and other courses denied accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).

The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who disclosed this while declaring open a 3-day workshop/Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in Port Harcourt, said that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Blessing Didia has been directed to workout modalities towards meeting the requirements for the accreditation of courses earlier denied accreditation by the NUC.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, also urged the institute to ensure that public projects are appropriately priced and delivered.

He also stressed the need for the institute to ensure quality delivery of projects.

In her address, the president, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Mrs Mercy T. Iyortyer said that Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital was chosen for the workshop because of its role in the development of capital projects in the South-South geopolitical zone as well as its economic significance as the centre of Nigerian oil industry.

Iyortyer also said that, the institute was following with keen interest the giant strides being made by the present administration in the critical sectors of Rivers State such as, roads and bridges security, education, housing, power and health.

She said that the workshop was a way of preparing members of the institute “to respond to a change that is already here to stay, in order to transform the practice and delivery of our professional services”.

According to her, “Reports in the industry have shown that demand for construction was high while money to fund the demand is going down because of the fall in oil prices.

“This should bring about smart ways of working using systems that will make us achieve projects at a lower cost or reduced duration without reducing or affecting quality or value”,.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Institute, Mr. Edigboman Ewa, commended the Rivers State Government for its support towards the hosting of the workshop.

He also stressed the need for domestication of all issues raised at the workshop.