THE Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors (ZIQS) will host a Joint Conference and Expo Meeting with the Africa Association of Quantity Surveyors (AAQS) at the end of this month amid growing calls for Government ministries to acknowledge the role of quantity surveyors in the implementation of the Chinese and Russian mega deals.
There are also growing concerns that locals involved in supplying goods for production have not been doing enough to fend off competition from foreigners.
A Quantity Surveyor is a professional whose responsibility is to provide cost advice on infrastructure projects of any nature regardless of the extent of the scope.
These include small housing projects to dams or multi storey structures.
With an influx of investors flocking to the country, Quantity Surveyors believe they have their work cut out.
However, the professionals feel Government is not utilising their services.
In an interview, the president of ZIQS, George Mutyanda said the conference which will run from March 26 to 27 is an opportunity for the promotion of the brand Zimbabwe and marketing of local suppliers.
“We will be hosting a Joint Conference and Expo Meeting with the Africa Association of Quantity Surveyors on the 26th and 27th of this month with special focus on promoting the Brand Zimbabwe programme and our local suppliers,” said Mutyanda.
“You should understand that Quantity Surveyors are key to national development, especially with the influx of foreign investors and the mega deals we saw being signed last year.
“We have our work cut out and the Joint Conference and Expo Meeting I have talked about presents a golden opportunity for Government to shake off the negative perception that nothing is happening in the country.
“Government has always partnered Quantity Surveyors and we work hand-in-hand with them, particularly the Ministry Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development, but we feel more ministries must come on board and work with us.”
Mutyanda revealed that through his organisation’s partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development, they had managed to participate and offer their technical expertise in such projects as the upgrading of airports and universities.
“Once Government calls on us to participate in any project, we will as Quantity Surveyors be involved at every stage of planning in terms of costing, quantifying the project and right up to the payment stage,” Mutyanda said.
“The summary of it is that we are key cost advisor to Government.
“We have participated in the upgrading of airports through the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) and establishment of universities throughout the country.”
The ZIQS honorary secretary Audley Chatora said it was worrying that out of the 51 suppliers that would participate at the expo-meeting only two were from Zimbabwe.
Chatora said as part of raising awareness on the need for local suppliers, the organisation would be encouraging people to sign up for directory of suppliers they have established.
“The most important thing about this event is that all the participants would have the opportunity to see the big things that are happening in the country from the airport through the newly completed road,” Chatora said.
“We will take the participants to such areas like Avondale Shopping Centre for them to get an appreciation of the development that has and is taking place in the country.”
A total of 21 African countries have already confirmed their participation at the Joint Conference and Expo meeting.
Currently the membership of the institute stands at 122.