The Nigerian Institute of Quantity surveyors (NIQS) has said prudent spending by government at all levels is the easiest way to steer the nation out of recession.
The body hinged its position on the fact that construction is the only viable option for government to spend its way out of recession.
Outgoing chairman of the Lagos chapter, Mr. Ayuba Akere, made the recommendation at a press briefing to announce the 2020 NIQS week with the theme: “The impact of construction industry in economic recovery occasioned by COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Akere said the call is necessary because recovery of the economy depends on the construction industry due to its enormous employment potentials.
He stressed that with dwindling revenue, government cannot afford to be wasteful, hence the need to depend on the expertise of quantity surveyors, who are trained for costing in the construction sector.
According to him, government can do more with the little resources available, if it engages quantity surveyors in infrastructure expenditure to ensure the value for money.
Akere stressed that the chapter has improved on the achievements of his predecessors as well as working with the national executive in programmes. This effort, he said, is already yielding results going by the recent employment of quantity surveyors by the Lagos State government.
He urged professionals in the built environment to stay within their professional limits.
Also, the incoming chairman, Mr. Ayodele Alao, who said the nation will soon be out of recession with cooperation of all professionals in the built environment.
On his part, the incoming Deputy Chairman of the branch, Mr. Olarenwaju Farotimi, said with collaboration of all professionals and reliance on locally produced materials; the nation’s economy would bounce back within a short time. The Guardian
