By Chiekezie Emmanuel

Agbani – The Department of Quantity Surveying ESUT has inaugurated committee members for its first international conference.

The inauguration which took place on Tuesday at the departmental board room had professors, Directors and lecturers in attendance, including Prof. Nzeribe Harmony, Director of Research and Innovation (ESUT), Prof. Emenike Agosta, former Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science, and Dr. Ajaelu Chidiebere, Head of the Department of Quantity Surveying, among others with Dr. Onyia Chukwuebuka to chair the team while Dr. Chukwuenye Agatha will serve as the Secretary.

The head of the department, Dr. Henry Ajaelu who read out the names of the committee members congratulated them

The members of the committee include:

-Dr. Onyia Chukwuebuka – (Chairman)

-Prof. Francis Iloeje – Member

-Prof. Augusta Emenike – Member

-Prof. Harmony Nwaobodo – Member

-Dr. Okereke Joy – Member

-Dr. Okeke Francisca – Member

-Dr. Oluchukwu Nwonovo – Member

-Dr. Andrew Apeh – Member

-Dr. Chiebozie Nwafor – Member

-Dr. Joseph Nwatu – Member

-Dr. Uche Iheanyi – Member

-Mrs. Ozougwu Loveth – Member

-Mr. Ngene Ebenezer – Member

-Mr. David Chikeleze – Member

-Mr. Asogwa Chikere – Member

-Mrs. Amarachi Ogbodo – Member

-Dr. Chukwuenye Agatha – (Secretary)

Dr. Ajaelu emphasized that the selected individuals are worthy and capable of forming a strong team to achieve a successful international conference in the Department and Enugu State University of Science and Technology. “The challenge is not about their capability but rather the need to accommodate them within their busy schedules due to their capacity,” he noted

He added that the essence of the conferences is to bring together intellectuals, people from academia or industry, to outline challenges facing the profession or the industry at large. “At the end of every conference, solutions are made. That’s why we are trying to raise a communiqué that will address prominent issues within the construction industry that quantity surveyors need to resolve. That is why the conference is tagged ‘The Quantity Surveyors Edge’ to inform the people of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, and the entire world about the importance of quantity surveying in society.”

The chairman of the committee, Dr. Onyia, explained that he will do his utmost to ensure that the conference exceeds expectations. He pledged to work with other committee members to achieve a successful international conference.

Prof. Nzeribe Nnenna Harmony, Director of Research and Innovation, who is also a committee member, expressed happiness that the conference will showcase what the department is doing, especially in highlighting the importance of quantity surveyors in any project. She noted, “At times, people tend to neglect quantity surveying, not realizing that it is essential for any project. When you don’t plan well with the quantity of materials needed to execute any budget, that project is bound to have risks, as all necessary factors need to be considered in the planning and implementation of that project. This is why there was a need for this conference to be held.

“One thing is to be informed. I believe information is very important. Problems that already exist are because people are not aware of what is happening. Some of the existing problems can be addressed through awareness of the fundamental issues causing them. I believe that within this conference, those problems will be tackled, and solutions will be articulated. Having identified these problems, I believe they can be solved.”

“I am sure that in this conference, innovative ideas will emerge that will help in solving some of the environmental issues that face our society today,” she concluded.