The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has urged Federal, state and local governments to patronize indigenous construction companies in a bid to boost local economy, showcase Nigerian expertise to the outside world and boost local content.
Chairman of NIS, Kaduna state council, Surv. Daudu Andrew, made the call while presenting an award of excellence to Farmtrac Nigeria Ltd in Kaduna.
He explained that major construction projects in Nigeria
were handled by foreign contractors, due to the erroneous notion that only foreign companies can handle big and complex projects, adding that though foreign firms still dominate the construction industry in Nigeria, some local firms, such as Farmtrac Nigeria Ltd are changing the narratives.
“Surveyors have conducted investigations on Farmtrac and found out that unlike other companies who import workers from abroad, Farmtrac remains committed to improving Nigerian economy by employing competent Nigerians to work in the company. Farmtrac has handled many projects such as construction of 10km Kachia Township Road, a 10km Road in Sanga, composed of 4km township and 6km bypass, and 36km Kwassam-Gisheri Road including 60m bridge in Kauru local government.
“The 21km Laduga link road to Cattle Crossing in Kachia, the 15km Kafanchan township road were old projects that were re-awarded to the company. The GGSS, Kachia internal road, the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia internal roads, the Rimi College, Kaduna internal roads and the Government College, Kaduna internal roads are projects handled by the company.
“Our experience from the Saminaka – Bauchi Road, the Damau Milk Farm link road, and an international project in Kano, handled by Farmtrac, suffice to make the company stand tall. Going by all these track records as an indigenous company, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors deemed it appropriate to confer the Award of Excellence on the company. The award is to celebrate outstanding individuals and institutions for their role in positively shaping Nigeria with the sole aim of encouraging them to do more.”
Receiving the award, the Managing Director/CEO of Farmtrac Nigeria Ltd, Engr. Sadiq Abubakar, Dan Iyan Tangale, promised that the award would spur the company to strive harder. He promised a good and profitable relationship with the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, adding that his doors are always open to them.
The Public Relations Officer, Mr Yusuf Micah assured that as indigenous firm, Farmtrac is determined to build the nation’s road networks for the benefit of Nigerians “Going by international best practice, we are doing even better than some foreign counterparts in the sector. Our projects are out there for everyone to see and they are proofs that all our work is in tandem with the geology of the land that we are building on. Farmtrac has the manpower, the machinery, and the technological know-how to execute any kind of engineering works,” he said.
