Ibadan – The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Oyo State Chapter, QS Oluwade Kolawole, has emphasized the critical role Quantity Surveyors play in ensuring cost-effective and sustainable building projects across Nigeria.
Speaking on The Landlords: The Radio Edition, Oluwade highlighted that one of the leading causes of project abandonment and material waste in the construction industry is the failure to engage qualified Quantity Surveyors from the onset. He noted that these professionals are trained to determine accurate cost estimates for building projects, monitor market trends, and advise clients on when and what materials to procure—particularly in a volatile economic environment marked by inflation.
“It is the Quantity Surveyor who calculates the cost of materials needed for a building project. We offer insight on what to buy in bulk and when to buy it, saving time and money,” he said.
Kolawole also lamented the declining trust in the services of Quantity Surveyors, pointing out that many clients either bypass their input or substitute them with non-professionals—often to the detriment of the project.
Also contributing to the conversation, the immediate past Public Relations Officer of the NIQS Oyo State Chapter, QS Abdulbashir Abdulsalam, condemned the trend of engaging unqualified individuals to perform the role of Quantity Surveyors. He described the act as not only inappropriate but illegal, stressing that it compromises the integrity and success of construction projects.
Both experts called for greater public awareness of the role of Quantity Surveyors, urging stakeholders, clients, and government agencies to always involve certified professionals in cost management to ensure efficient resource use and project completion.
Click the link below to watch the interview:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18ojUWuiVg/
Watch out for the concluding part next week.