The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has unveiled a newly built secretariat and a history book about the institute to mark 50 years of existence.
The event which took place on Saturday at the new building in Mabushi Abuja was well attended by top dignitaries including members of the institute, past presidents, former ministers and respected industry stakeholders.
Speaking to HousingNews at the event, the President of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, QS Obafemi Oluwole Onashile said that it was a remarkable event because it marked a beginning of a new era for the professional institute.
‘’Today is a remarkable day because we are unveiling our new 5-storey secretariat in Abuja. It is a project that took 17 months to construct. It’s a testimony to the capacity of quantity surveyors in project delivery. We give glory to God that the project is completed with 5 floors including a basement for services. It is not a story of abandoned project,’’ he said.
On the institute’s 50th anniversary, he said that it is was very important because of how far they have come over the years.
‘’It is worth mentioning that 50 years ago when NIQS was starting, we had barely 20 qualified quantity surveyors in Nigeria including British nationalities; meaning that indigenous quantity surveyors then were less than 10 or 15. Now 50 years after, we can boast of an institute with over 10,000 members out of which 4,000 are corporate qualified members practising in Nigeria and beyond. In the 50 years of our existence, we have done very well. Our capacity and qualification is now very well recognised even internationally as we have just signed reciprocity agreement with the Canada institute of quantity surveyors. So as a Nigerian quantity surveyor, once you produce your qualification certificate of NIQS in Canada you are given automatic ticket to practice there,’’ he said.
He also stated that this is the same for Nigerian Quatity Surveyors in the Middle East, Australia and other parts of the world. This, he said is a testimony to how far the institute which was established in 1969 has come.
Also speaking to HousingNews, the immediate past President of NIQS, QS Mercy Iyortyer, said that the event is a celebration of legacy and hard work.
‘’On our 50th anniversary, we are unveiling our secretariat and launching the NIQS history book. This is very important to us. A lot of people will read the book and appreciate the history of the institute,’’ she said.
She also revealed that the land upon which the secretariat was built on was allocated to the institute during her tenure as the FCT chapter chairman of NIQS, when Mallam Nasir el-Rufai was minister of the FCT.
She said, ‘’we paid him a visit and requested for a land for our secretariat, to move it from Lagos to Abuja, and he graciously gave us a land. When I was president, 3 years ago, I was privileged once more to ensure that we got approval for the drawings. We secured the land, fenced it and got the whole thing rolling. The bills of quantity were prepared and we started with the tender process, and we have followed due process in all we have done.’’
Her joy, she said, is that the project has taken less than 2 years, proving to be a good project delivery. ‘’Everything was delivered on time and to specification, and within budget as well. We are very grateful to all those who contributed to the development of this project. Our own quantity surveyor was also key to the delivery of this project.’’
The NIQS had previously operated from a rented apartment which disrupted their activities because of issues with landlords. Mercy Iyortyer said that was what pushed them to embark on this project and that it was a dream come true.
She appealed to the FCT authorities to help provide a durable access road to the building.
