By Bonaventure Alufo
The Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has appealed to the state government to include Quantity Surveyors in the building approval process, emphasising their importance in cost management and infrastructure development.
The appeal was made by the chapter’s Chairman, QS Jude Oduenyi, during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, at his office in Awka on November 10.
Oduenyi expressed concern that Quantity Surveyors were excluded from a recent publication by the ministry outlining the professionals recognised in the building approval process. He argued that cost considerations were fundamental to development planning, particularly in urban renewal, building demolition and infrastructural projects.
He questioned how government could undertake projects such as building demolition and town beautification without considering the cost implications, stressing that Quantity Surveyors had important roles to play. He also cited Abia State as an example of a state where the profession had been recognised in the building approval process.
Responding, Ojukwu explained that the ministry’s publication was guided by the Anambra State Physical Planning Law, 2013, which specifies the professionals authorised to participate in the building approval process.
He maintained that the ministry could not include professionals outside the provisions of the existing law without risking legal consequences, adding that Quantity Surveyors could only be incorporated following an amendment of the legislation.
The commissioner disclosed that builders and insurance companies had also made similar appeals for inclusion, revealing that the ministry had already prepared a proposal for amending the existing law to address the concerns raised by the various professional bodies.
Ojukwu further stated that the ministry would study the physical planning laws of other states, particularly Lagos and other South-East states, to identify relevant provisions that could guide the proposed amendment and improve the state’s building approval framework.
Also present during the courtesy visit was the Chief Town Planning Officer of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Ajuluchukwu Nwankwo.
Bonaventure Alufo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#Ministryofinformationandvaluareformation
#Informationiskey
#Solutionishere
