(Photo:FUTA VC ,left, with lecturer,right)
A Professor of Quantity Surveying at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Deji Rufus Ogunsemi has set an eleven- point agenda for governments and stakeholders on how to ensure value for money and improve the construction sector. Ogunsemi who delivered the 71st Inaugural lecture of the Institution spoke on the topic “Value for Money in Construction Projects: The Quantity Surveyor’s Quest.” Ogunsemi who spoke on the concept of value for money in the industry said the aim is not only to build good structures, but also to ensure that the right structures are built to meet the requirements of all stake holders, particularly the end users. He emphasized the need for Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness (3E) which he said are relevant to construction projects. This according to him include how much the project costs, how well has the money been used and if the money has been spent on the right things to meet the expectation of stakeholders.
According to the don, the adoption of best practices in the design, construction and post-occupancy stages of the delivery process should be devoid of corruption, nepotism, ethnicity and religious bigotry. Ogunsemi further advocated introduction of innovative cost design solution such as whole life costing, value management, lean construction that will involve doing more for less.
Other suggestions proffered by the don include: availability of comprehensive documentation at the commencement of projects; enforcement of effective cost planning at the design stage for construction; a careful evaluation of procurement options; employment of quantity surveying firms to examine reports; the involvement of all stakeholders, including end users in the design and implementation of construction projects; inclusion of a quantity surveyor on the national council of public procurement; a comprehensive research in selected areas such as national labour output, cost databases and benchmarking the cost of construction projects, among others.
He further called on the government to ensure domestication and full implementation of both the national building code and the procurement act by state and local governments, as these would assist in ensuring value for money in constructing projects. Speaking further, he said the contributions of the construction industry are significant to the economic development of any nation going by the huge capital devoted to infrastructure development. He therefore, called for adequate planning and taking of precise decision to enhance its productivity and efficiency.
In his address, Chairman at the occasion and Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola appreciated the excellent delivery of the lecture. He commended Ogunsemi’s tremendous impacts in Quantity Surveying which recently earned him membership of the Board of Directors of the Quantity Surveying Academy (QSA) of the Nigerian institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). This appointment according to Daramola endorses the quality of Ogunsemi as a scholar who is going to share his achievement in research, innovations, engagements and teaching activities.
Dignitaries at the events include FUTA management, staff, students, the academic, Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Mr. Kolapo Olusola, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the education and construction sectors.
