Mr Ajele John Alufohai who was sworn in as the 21st President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, penultimate weekend in Abuja, has pledged to set up a truth and reconciliation panel to ensure that the events of the last two and half years when the Institute was engulfed in internal crisis, are confined to the dustbin of history.

He urged aggrieved quantity surveyors to sheathe their swords and embrace peace. “We should respect and trust each other as ours is a disciplined profession founded on trust and deep sense of commitment and responsibility,” he said.

The Edo-State born construction cost expert who is the Managing Partner of Costec Consultants, a Lagos-based firm of quantity surveyors and project managers, was elected Deputy President of the construction cost professionals at their biennial conference in Kaduna on November, 8, 2008 and automatically stepped into the Presidential seat vacated by Chief Felix Okereke-Onyeri.

But Vanguard Homes & Property learnt that Mr Alufohai will preside over an interim council at the first instance. The interim council which he heads, comprises the immediate past president and two chairmen of chapters from the each of the regions. The interim council is expected come up with a new constitution which will be ratified at the biennial conference slated for yet to be announced venue in November this year.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Alufohai also pledged to uphold the Institute’s professional practice as well as pursue the capacity development of its members. Noting that the practice of quantity surveying calls for best practices at all times, Alufohai said this will ensure that clients get the best services from them.

On quantity surveyors pursuing masters and doctorate degrees in the discipline, the new NIQS helmsman said they will enjoy greater support from his council.

“I promise to keep the flag flying very high, consistent with the legacies of our founding fathers and the great achievements of our members in different walks of life,” he said, adding that the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Committee will be made to function optimally to ensure that quantity surveyors adhere to professional conduct and practice standards.

He also promised to revive the publication of Quantity Surveyors journal and Quantity Surveyors Connect, two publications expected to provide current date and information on costing at the disposal of members.

Outgoing Minister of Works, Senator Sanusi Daggash who spoke at the 24th BGM of the Institute stated that quantity surveyors have a prime role to play in national development. He decried haphazard manner procurement has been carried out and the problem of poor feasibility studies as they relate to capital projects.