Surveyors decry govt’s preference of foreign firms for infrastructure devt amid LCA

Despite a huge infrastructure gap that has continued to restrict the growth of virtually sectors of the economy, it is worrisome that government at all levels have continued to allot a significant chunk of infrastructure development contracts in the country to foreign firms at the expense of local professionals, surveyors under the auspices of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) have said.

The Surveyors who unanimously gave this verdict at a breakfast session organised by Century 21 Systems Communication Limited questioned the rationale behind government’s decision to continue ignoring local professionals even after signing the Local content act into law since 2010.

The law which was designed to stimulate massive job opportunities for Nigerians in the oil and gas industry including Surveyors is believed to be yet to actualise its full potentials as indigenous surveyors continue to play second fiddle to their foreign counterparts.

Speaking at the forum, Bernard Akhingbe, president, NIS maintained that Surveyors can become major players in the Oil & gas industry just like the Lawyers which have positioned themselves as major stakeholders in the sector if given the opportunity.

“Without surveying there will be no oil exploration because before sinking an oil well, a surveyor is needed to determine the best location,” he said, adding that even during rig positioning Surveyors are needed.

Highlighting the need for government to provide indigenous Surveyors with the right opportunities, Akhingbe stressed that the construction industry in itself boasts of a huge multiplier effect on the economy, boosts capacity and also produces a large portion of the country’s assets.

Bosun Ayinde, past president, NIS in his remarks criticised the government for neglecting indigenous talents in the surveying profession when executing projects, insisting there is a need for policy makers to look inward and explore local forms rather than keep seeking services of the expatriates.

In his opinion, the country might continue to wallow in infrastructural decay if indigenous professionals are empowered, noting only when projects are effectively executed will the country attain an enviable height.

Akhingbe also charged Surveyors in the forum to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge of the act to allow them tap into opportunities availed by the act, adding that they can only become big players when they intimate themselves with the act.

ODINAKA MBONU