Ekiti State Bureau of Local Content Collaborates with Quantity Surveyors to Boost Local Participation.

Ekiti State Bureau of Local Content Collaborates with Quantity Surveyors to Boost Local Participation.

The Ekiti State Bureau of Local Content (BOLC) convened a pivotal meeting with the Association of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) Ekiti State Chapter on January 7, 2025, at the mini Conference Hall of the Old Governor's Office in Ado Ekiti. The forum focused on strengthening local content participation in state development projects.

Dr. Mrs. Olubunmi Ade-Ojo, NIQS Chairman, opened the dialogue by expressing gratitude for the establishment of the BOLC. She highlighted the initiative as a key step by Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to promote local engagement in developmental activities throughout Ekiti State.

Dr. Ade-Ojo further pledged the association’s commitment to collaborating with the BOLC in developing capacity-building programs, providing technical assistance, and promoting best practices within the fields of quantity surveying and construction management. She emphasized the crucial role Quantity Surveyors play in ensuring clients receive maximum value for their financial commitments.

In response, Hon. Olalekan Ijidale, the Director General of BOLC, acknowledged the presence and dedication of the association. He stressed the state government's commitment to integrating indigenous contractors into all levels of project execution and contract bidding, fostering a welcoming climate for business investments in Ekiti. 

Mr. Ijidale announced a new requirement mandating that all contractors engage Quantity Surveyors prior to implementing any projects within the state. He assured NIQS members of their involvement in the enforcement team that will monitor compliance, insisting that all contractors with ongoing projects in Ekiti must submit the details of their Quantity Surveyor and their Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) to the Bureau to ensure quacks are not taking up the role of professionals who earned the qualification painstakingly. He noted that if the Quantity Surveyors are adequately patronized, it will significantly boost the local economy.

Additionally, the DG emphasized the need for the NIQS to engage in public enlightenment programs to educate citizens about the importance of conducting quantity surveys before embarking on building projects. This initiative aims to give the public a better understanding of cost implications, helping to avoid the phenomenon of abandoned and incomplete buildings that are scattered throughout the state.

Mr. Ijidale also encouraged NIQS members to register with the Bureau, ensuring they could benefit from streamlined local content engagement in both governmental and private contracts across Ekiti State.

The meeting attracted an impressive turnout of industry professionals, including:

1. QS Dr. Mrs. Ade-Ojo - Chairman

2. QS Ajayi Adetifa - Deputy Chairman

3. QS Abe Adekunle - Secretary 

At the end of the meeting, both the BOLC and the NIQS members expressed a strong commitment to enhancing local participation and the effective implementation of local content policies in Ekiti State. This collaboration marks a significant step towards fostering an inclusive environment for local professionals within the state’s development agenda.