President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja said the dark days of impunity
are gone for good, assuring Nigerians that his administration will remain
focused and committed to creating an inclusive and diversified economy.
Receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
(NIQS), led by Mr Obafemi Onashile, President Buhari, again, thanked
Nigerians for clearly expressing their desire to move the nation forward.
‘‘Let me start by thanking you for your kind prayers,’’ the President told
members of the Institute, who came to congratulate him on his re-election
and pledge their solidarity with his administration.
‘‘Nigerians have clearly spoken of their desire for the country to move
forward. On our part, we remain committed to the Change Agenda. By the
grace of God, and with your continued prayers and support, the dark days
of impunity are gone for good,’’ he added.
President Buhari used the occasion to highlight the administration’s
achievements in stimulating the economy in the past three years, noting
that growing the nation’s economy means ‘‘national growth must impact the
silent majority.’’
‘‘This is why in the past three years; we focused on key job-creating
sectors such as agriculture and infrastructure development.
‘‘You will all recall that our agriculture and infrastructure programmes
contributed to our exit from recession. This is a clear example of how, if
we push ‘inclusive’ job-creating policies, growth will follow.
‘‘We will remain committed to these and other programmes to ensure the
success of our nation is felt by the majority of Nigerians,’’ he said.
On the incessant building collapses across the country, the President
warned that those responsible for such incidents of professional
negligence will feel the full wrath of the law.
He told members of the Institute that the recent tragic incident in Lagos,
and many others across the country, were reminder of the need to strictly
adhere to quality standards on construction projects.
‘‘Young innocent lives must never be lost due to incompetence and greed.
Simply put, no corners must be cut. I want to assure you that those
responsible for such incidents of professional negligence will feel the
full wrath of the law,’’ he said.
The President welcomed recommendations and suggestions from the Institute
on how to enhance the construction industry, directing that they make a
formal submission to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing as soon as
possible.
In his presentation, the President of NIQS, Onashile appealed to the
Federal Government to create a Directorate of Quantity Surveying and
Projects Costs Management to address the issue of unclear delineation of
professional functions amongst construction professions within the
Government.
Onashile also made a case for Quantity Surveyors to be mandated and
allowed to undertake cost management of projects of all forms on behalf of
Government, among others.
The Institute while congratulating the President on his well-deserved
re-election, expressed its support and ‘‘total confidence in his
administration and leadership direction which have brought hope, progress
and stability to Nigeria.’’
A highpoint of the visit was the conferment of the Fellowship Grade of the
NIQS-the highest cadre of membership- on President Buhari. The President
was also honoured with the ‘‘Life Champion of Anti-Corruption Crusade in
Nigeria’’ Award.