Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has charged the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to explore implementable frameworks that can guide both federal and state actors in achieving procurement systems that are fair, competitive, transparent, and development-oriented.
He gave the charge on Thursday, while declaring open a Two-Day NIQS national workshop/ Induction held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Enugu.
Governor Mbah applauded the NIQS for maintaining a leading voice in shaping ethical and professional conduct within the built environment, describing them as gatekeepers of integrity in project delivery, ensuring that infrastructure investments are value-driven, cost-effective, and resilient.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government,Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, he said the contributions of Quantity Surveyors in cost control, project monitoring, value engineering, and management are indispensable to the national drive for infrastructural and economic transformation.
Pix: SSG,Prof Chidiebere Onyia
The Governor described the theme , “Standardizing Procurement Excellence: Enhancing Transparency and Efficiency Through the Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement’s Standard Bidding Documents (SBD)” as timely, saying the theme resonates deeply not only with the aspirations of the Nigerian people but also with the current national and sub-national efforts to institutionalise transparency, eliminate leakages, and enhance value for money in public projects.
“By focusing on the standardization of procurement processes, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors is contributing meaningfully to the retooling of our governance culture, anchored on accountability and results-based management.
“I must acknowledge and applaud the NIQS for maintaining a leading voice in shaping ethical and professional conduct within the built environment.
“Quantity Surveyors are more than cost estimators. You are gatekeepers of integrity in project delivery, critical players in ensuring that infrastructure investments are value-driven, cost-effective, and resilient.
“Your contributions in cost control, project monitoring, value engineering, and management are indispensable to the national drive for infrastructural and economic transformation”, he said..
He also commended the Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement and all other partners for their role in shaping the national conversation.
Governor Mbah, who was also the Special Guest of Honour described Enugu state as , “a rising frontier for innovation, professional excellence, and service-driven governance”.
He said in Enugu State, the government has placed public financial management reform at the core of it’s development strategy.
“Let me restate, for emphasis, that our entire governance processes are defined by the highest levels of accountability. This governance philosophy is not mere lip service; it has been wholly internalized.
‘Our administration is vigorously pursuing digital procurement systems, budget transparency, and performance-based financing, all geared towards eliminating waste and aligning our resources with measurable outcomes.
“We are guided by the belief that governance must be lean, smart, and impactful. This is why we deeply appreciate this Workshop, its timing, its relevance, and its location.
“We see your presence here as a validation of Enugu’s growing reputation as a center for professional excellence and policy innovation. Whether in academia, healthcare, ICT, or infrastructure delivery, our state is open for collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange.
“We stand ready to serve as a national hub for strategic dialogues such as this – where professionals can engage, reform can be championed, and progress can be sustained,” Mbah said.
He thanked the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors for it’s tireless contributions to national development.
In his address, the President ,Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) QS Kene. Nzekwe, FNIQS, said the theme resonates deeply with their profession, as they play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, efficiency, and value for money in procurement processes.
“The Nigerian Bureau of Public Procurement Standard Bidding Documents provides a framework for achieving these objectives, and we are excited to explore its applications and best practices,” he said..
QS Nzekwe noted that the workshop will create the necessary atmosphere for greater synergy with the Bureau of Public Procurement.
He thanked Enugu State Governor,Dr. Peter Mbah , wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, QS Ezinne Catherine Oyeme, the Keynote Speaker and Director-General of the Bureau, Dr Adebowale Adedokun , the speakers, and all participants for their contributions to the workshop.
The President said ,”the siting of the event in the historic coal city of Enugu was not an accident, but rather an acknowledgement of the monumental strides of the number one citizen of the state.
“The development and growth of any country or state is highly dependent on her level of infrastructure development and the commitment of the leadership to continue to ensure infrastructure delivery
He commended Governor Mbah over the achievement of over 800Km of roads constructed to improve connectivity in the state, his commitment to education through consistent budgetary allocation of over 30%, construction of Smart Green schools, security, healthcare, Enugu International Conference Centre
and economic growth clearly shows the trajectory of Enugu State positioning itself on the global stage.
To Governor Mbah, the NIQS’s President said, “in a country like Nigeria, where infrastructure development is crucial for economic prosperity and societal well-being, and with the apparent interest of your government to develop infrastructure in various sectors, the role of quantity surveyors cannot be overstated. You can equate Quantity Surveyors to custodians of efficiency, who ensure that all types of construction projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality”.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd.), observed that ,the Non- adherence to standards has been a major national malaise particularly in issues of procurement, making it difficult o win a d sustain the confidence of investors, banks, contractors and foreign direct investments.
According to him, the federal government in it’s economic reform established the Budget monitoring and price intelligent unit( BMPIU) in 2001 known as office of Due Process to minimise corruption and abuse. to known rules on public procurement and a legal backing was given to it through the Nigerian Procurement Act 2007.
“This Act with it’s amendments provided for legal and institutions framework for transparency, accountability, competitiveness, efficiency, and value for money in the procurement of work/ construction, goods and services all levels in the federal government.
” In the mix of all these happens to be the QS who is not just a participant but also watchdog to ensure transparency and value for money.
” The emphasis on the use of BPP’s standard bidding demands as a panacea for transparency and efficiency in procurement is worthy of consideration and implementation nationwide.
The Two-Day workshop featured enlightening discussions, shared experiences, and insights from experts on how to standardize procurement excellence, enhance transparency, and drive efficiency in the construction industry.
Highlight of the event was induction of new members of the Institute.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama