The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos Chapter, has reiterated its commitment to continually upgrade skills of members, to enhance service delivery to the society.
The Chairman of NIOB, Mr Adelaja Adekanmbi, spoke at the 1st Business Breakfast Meeting organised by the Institute on Thursday in Lagos.
It had the theme: “Networking and Collaboration: A Synergy Tool for Business Growth in Built Environment”.
Adekanmbi said there was need for operators in the built environment to be abreast with new technologies evolving in the profession to remain relevant in the country.
He said the world was evolving and new technologies were being invented, and the profession must not be left out.
According to him, dearth of skilled workforce in the housing and construction industry hinders infrastructural development in Nigeria.
Adekanmbi said the gap in Nigeria’s construction industry could be attributed to the dwindling stock of competent skilled construction workers and the influx of unskilled operators.
“Training/upgrading the skills and capacities of operators in the building profession is one of the major cardinal points for setting up the Institute.
“The motive of the meeting is to diversify, network and improve on our technical operational know-how in order to keep abreast with the latest methodologies in construction contract management.
“This is necessary so that when the Federal Government will roll-out its proposed housing and real estate projects, the builders can gainfully be involved,” Adekanmbi said.
Also, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) Lagos Chapter, Mr Ladipo Lewis said that builders, as key players in construction contract management, need to have deep knowledge of the latest technologies in the industry.
Speaking on “Emerging Trends in Built Environment: Collaboration in Construction, the Use of New Technology,” Lewis said the dynamics of the construction industry had changed.
He enjoined the builders to embrace usage of the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and the 3D Structural Model in developing the methodologies for execution of construction projects.
Lewis said the models were the most sophisticated methods that simplified and captured all processes involved in construction project execution.
“The 3D Structural Model drawing allows for inclusion of all the features of the project in one file, which can automatically be updated, thereby saving workload, time and reducing wastage of resources,” he said.
According to him, there is need for more collaboration among players in the industry for efficient delivery and infrastructure development.
He, therefore, called for concerted efforts toward creation of the enabling environment that could facilitate the collaboration to boost national economic and infrastructure development.
Also, the Auditor of NIOB, Mr Kolawole Ajuwon, said that builders, who are also the project managers, are supposed to have good knowledge about the financial management of the projects.
Speaking on “Financial Management and Tax Matters”, Kolawole said it was important for builders to be acquainted with accounting principles for smooth relationship with the account officers and banks of the project.
“Through the Bank Verification Number (BVN), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) can assess the financial status of every company, which implies there is no hiding place.
“ So, it is advisable that companies assess themselves and pay the due taxes,” he said.
Mr Olwutomi Ogundare, a Quantity Surveying Consultant, said that project managers should be able to advise clients on the cost drivers of a project before execution.
Ogundare said the essence of evaluating the project cost was to avoid disparity from the estimated baseline cost, that could result in misunderstanding with the clients.
According to him, the prices of materials need to be validated so that adequate provision for contingencies can be made.
