All eyes on innovation, creativity as Nigeria construction awards debuts
The construction industry in Nigeria is today in special focus as the search for operators who are innovative and creative in the work they do commences with the aim of recognizing them through the new Nigeria Construction Awards.
The Awards, which is in its maiden edition, is promoted by InstinctWave, the publisher of InstinctBusiness magazine—organizers of the highly recognized and successful MarketingWorld Awards and Africa Brand Conference.
Over the last decade, due largely to growing population, rapid urbanization and rising demand for housing and infrastructure, the construction industry has seen considerable growth such that analysts see the industry as Africa’s largest construction market which grew by 13 percent in 2012 and is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the world through 2020.
At a press conference in Lagos to announce the construction award, Akin Naphtal, InstinctWave CEO, noted that the contribution of this industry to the economy cannot be neglected as it has become a veritable index in terms of employment generation for both skilled and unskilled employment, estimating that the industry contributes about 3.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He explained that the awards, already slated for November 20, 2015 at the Eko Hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was aimed to also recognize and honour companies and individuals for their accomplishments, strides and contribution to the growth of this industry. “The construction industry plays an important role in economic growth. However, the industry has been overlooked in terms of rewarding innovation and creativity. Our goal is to celebrate the achievements of those construction companies and individuals who have made it their responsibility to transform this industry and advance the country’s infrastructure development “, he added.
Naphtal recalled that organised construction began in the early 1940’s with a few foreign companies, adding that the ‘oil boom’ that followed about 10 years after independence led to an upsurge in construction and demand for construction services as the country at that period opened up to foreign and local investment coupled with obvious need for infrastructure to drive economic growth.
He hoped that the awards ceremony would present an opportunity for stakeholders to advocate for the industrialization of the country by way of investment in the area of civil engineering, building, industrial, residential construction and beautification.
To underscore the importance of this industry, Naphtal pointed out that whatever governments wanted to do in terms of housing, improving public services, developing tourism sector, improving transportation , creating new jobs and eradicating poverty could be linked to construction.
Various categories of awards are being considered for different aspects of construction work, companies and individuals including Construction CEO of the Year; Industry Personality of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award; Excellence Award for Women in Construction; Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Infrastructure Development Bank Award; Construction Company of the Year; Public Private Partnership of the Year; Best Local Contractor; Concrete Producer of the Year; Block Manufacturing Company of the Year, etc.
“The awards ceremony will not be just another networking opportunity but companies and individuals will have the platform to tell their success stories and accomplishments while opening windows for synergies in the sector”, Naphtal assured