Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/10/2013 05:35:00 pm
phcnworkers.....In solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has given the Federal Government seven days to resolve the ongoing strike or face a total shut down of electricity facilities in the country.
This latest show of solidarity is coming on the heels of similar warnings given by the Nigerian union of Teachers, NUT, and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, which have both given indication that they will down tools if the strike is not resolved soon enough.
NUEE, while justifying its decision to cause nationwide blackout in solidarity with the striking varsity lecturers, said that it could no longer sit back and watch those in positions of authority destroy the future of young Nigerians, who have remained at home for weeks on account of the Federal Government’s refusal to meet the legitimate demands by ASUU.
General Secretary of NUEE, Mr Joe Ajaero, who spoke at a training workshop for labour leaders in the power sector in Enugu, said that electricity workers across the country would be directed to join other progressive labour unions “to shut down the country” as a way of showing their displeasure over the lingering face-off between the Federal Government and the academic staff.
“We can no longer sit back and watch this disturbing drama going on between the Federal government and ASUU. If the strike is not addressed within the next one week, NUEE and other progressive unions will shut down the country,” Mr. Ajaero said.
“It is unfortunate that those in power are not bothered about the closure of the universities. They are less concerned because none of their children are studying in Nigerian universities.
“Their children are overseas just as they travel overseas for medical attention because they have allowed our hospitals to die. Whether our children are out of school or not they are not bothered but we are going to join our children to stay at home from next week.”
The union urged the National Assembly to make laws that will ban public office holders from sending their children and wards to study abroad just as foreign medical trips by public officers should also be outlawed to enable government address the numerous problems bedeviling the nation.
“Our public institutions are dead because those unpatriotic leaders have nothing to do with them but when they are banned from traveling overseas to access improved facilities, they will have no option than to look inward and address our numerous challenges,” he added.
- VANGUARD
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/10/2013 11:22:00 am
Cape Town - The ANC has a realistic chance of taking back governance of the Western Cape from the Democratic Alliance, provincial party leader Marius Fransman said on Thursday.
"Indeed I say so, we will be able to govern again and some would be able to say 'impossible'," he told the Cape Town Press Club.
"I would be able to say for those doubting Thomases, we're going to get Table Mountain to disappear so that you at least believe what I'm saying."
Fransman said the ANC brand in the province had strengthened since 2011 and come out of Mangaung without an implosion in the provincial leadership.
Issues
The focus ahead of national elections next year was to draft a provincial manifesto by speaking to communities about what 25 issues affected them.
The party would be punting the future of agriculture and a new deal for farmworkers in this document.
Fransman said they would also push to act on the Employment Tax Incentive Bill, which was recently published for comment.
"... There's not too much action and so we're saying to national government, let's act on this issue in the manifesto process."
The manifesto would be adopted by the ANC national executive committee next month and be made public in January.
Fransman admitted the party had put an unequal focus on highlighting service delivery issues in the DA administration at the expense of economic policy issues.
"We'll even make certain concessions in that and say even the last few years, our focus [has been] on service delivery. As we've assessed our own situation we've said it's important to look at the economy and factors that will bring stabilisation.
"The strategic question is, and what the ANC is starting to argue, can we take the debate on soundbites away, can we take the debate on politics of deception away, and can we get into a real debate on the economy?"
Economy
He said the Western Cape had slipped into third place, behind KwaZulu-Natal, in its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the past five years.
Despite this, the DA chose to point fingers at the ANC for damaging the economy by playing a part in the recent so-called "poo protests", which blocked the N2 highway at regular intervals earlier in the year.
"It [pointing fingers] can be an argument in the short-term but not in the long-term."
Fransman said the party had publicly distanced itself from the protests as an "unacceptable and vulgar campaign", and instituted disciplinary procedures against those responsible.
Asked if he believed he had led the party well, Fransman said the success of winning wards from the DA in by-elections spoke for itself.
On cadre deployment, he said it was a misnomer that it was an "ANC thing".
"Since 2009... there was very serious cadre deployment. They'd taken out all our director generals, at least 90% were taken out and replaced by people who would be loyal to the government in this province," he said.
"As the leader of the ANC, I understand that, as long there is the capability of those to deliver. I'm saying it's clear to us that on the surface that capability exists but on the depth of it there is a dilemma."
- SAPA
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/08/2013 03:52:00 pm
PLEASE,LETS US TAKE THIS SERIOUS BECAUSE OUR SINCERE COMMENT CAN STOP THE STRIKE.
FORUM
Should ASUU call off the strike even without FG granting their requests or should they persist. Share your honest opinions, backing them up with reasons.
BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR COMMENT.PLEASE READ THIS NEWS FOR A SECOND THOUGHT.
ASUU NATIONAL PRESIDENT, DR. NASIR ISA FAGGE
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday declared that following the Federal Government’s inability to resolve the lingering crisis in the nation’s universities, it had lost faith in government.
This was the position of the chairman of ASUU, University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter, Comrade Anthony Monye-Emina, who spoke in Benin, the Edo State capital.
He insisted that the strike must go on to achieve its desired results just as he expressed the union’s loss of confidence in the Federal Government’s sincerity to meet the terms of the agreement it entered into willingly with ASUU.
He said one of the reasons why they are insisting that their demands must be met is because the government initially denied the existence of the 2009 agreement which was signed by its officials.
“We can no longer trust government; we have lost faith in its willingness to deliver on the issues that led to the strike in the first place,” he said.
-Daily Trust
PLEASE PUT YOUR LAUDABLE COMMENT BELOW
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/07/2013 02:38:00 pm
Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, weekend, threatened stop distribution of petroleum products across the country if the Federal Government failed to implement the agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
Although the union did not fix a specific date was fixed for the commencement of the solidarity strike, it said the strike became necessary in view of the lingering ASUU strike which the government had failed to resolve in the last three months.
Speaking at NUPENG’s National Administrative Council, NAC, meeting, weekend in Lagos, President, Igwe Achese expressed his displeasure at the crisis facing public university system in the country.
He blamed the crisis on government’s failure to honour agreements, lamenting that this had led to the proliferation of strikes in nearly all sectors of the economy since the beginning of the year.
“We appeal to government to implement agreement reached with ASUU so that students can go back to school. If the crisis in the sector is not resolved, we will soon direct our members to embark on solidarity strike.”
Achese also blamed the Ministry of Labour for failing in its responsibility to check the breakdown and abuse of laws governing industrial relations practice in the country by employers including government.
try this
“The Ministry of Labour needs to be proactive if we must get these issues nipped in the bud. The ministry also needs to make sure that agreements reached or communiqué signed are implemented.
“The ministry has a big role to play to avert strikes in the country. When unions begin to lose faith in the ministry that is when we have this kind of crisis. The labour minister should be firm in making sure that the right decisions are taken.
“As it is now, every activity in the Ministry of Labour is in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, which ought not to be so. The role of the SGF should be to intervene only when the need arises.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, had last week given the Federal Government two weeks ultimatum to honour the agreement it reached with ASUU or face total shut-down of the education sector in the country.
The total shutdown seems imminent now as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, resumes its suspended strike today after it said the government failed to fulfill its promises.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/03/2013 10:50:00 am
There has been information that a plane crash has occurred at the Lagos airport.
It is not yet known if there have been any casualties.
According to a witness, the crash occurred at the local wing of the airport close to the section were JET-A1, plane fuel, is stored.
Fire service officials were seen evacuating the occupants of the plane.
The spokesman of the Nigeria aviation agencies, Yakubu Datti, asked for more time to get details of the incident, Premium Times reports.
Reports reaching us indicate that a plane crash has occurred at the Lagos airport.
An eyewitness said the crashed occurred close to the cargo shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. The Akure bound Associated Airline Flight is believed to be carrying the body of Late Olusegun Agagu with about 20 people on board.
The National EMergency Mangement Agency (NEMA) has confirmed two people dead
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/03/2013 10:37:00 am
The media and society have a tendency to sensationalize domestic violence when the victim is a male. This mockery of abuse is oftentimes not taken seriously until someone ends up severely injured or dead.
A young woman of Jiangsu, a providence of China, pleaded for mercy and repentance in court after fαtally stabbing her high school sweetheart 31 times for murmuring another woman’s name in his sleep. After committing the grυesome mυrder, the woman fell asleep and cuddled with the blοοdy cοrpse until the morning. In court, Hong Hui ”expressed deep remorse” for her actions as the relatives of her deceased lover sobbed. Hui claims she and her boyfriend were planning to marry.
This story is reported just days after 49-year-old Raylene Yvette Jones of Ferndale, MI. Jones stabbed her 50-year-old husband in the b*ttοcks at a local motel on Wednesday evening for returning home late. When Ferndale Police arrived on the scene, the Jones attempted to cover up her actions by stating that her husband had fallen on glass and cut himself. According to police, when giving his side of the story, Jones’ husband said his wife was upset with him for coming home late and stabbed him with a knife.
With the growing number of men who are falling victim to domestic víolence, there should be a serious discussion centered around this problem.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/03/2013 10:19:00 am
Following a two-week ultimatum given to the Federal Government to honour the agreement they had with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, or face total shutdown of the education sector in the country by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, the Federal Government, yesterday, appealed to the union to shelve its proposed solidarity strike.
Making the appeal in Abuja, at a meeting with the members of NUT on the proposed industrial action, the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said; “The 2009 agreements with ASUU have a number of issues and I want to tell you that the Federal Government, has already met 80% of the critical needs. It is remaining only two major components which are earned allowances, and they are expecting the Federal Government to release N400billion annually for infrastructural development.
“ASUU now asked the Federal Government to develop the universities annually, and it shouldn’t be part of Federal budget and not part of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, and that the Federal Government should allocate N400 billion for capital projects in the universities. This is not realistic, because we have Polytechnics and colleges of education”.
“Most universities haven’t accessed their 2012 intervention funds so there are still funds for them.
On earned allowances he said: “The N30billion was for a start and then if it is not enough we would find a way to pay ASUU.”
The Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, who was present at the meeting, also said the Federal Government has already implemented 80 per cent of the 2009 Agreement they had with ASUU.
He added that discussion was still ongoing with ASUU, and that dialogue has not broken down.
“One thing that is clear is that Federal Government has started implementing the 2009 agreement so if there are grey areas, the appropriate thing to do is to settle it. The thing is that those grey areas cannot be settled when ASUU is on strike, the grey areas can still be settled if they go back to the classrooms. I think the issue is going back to the classrooms, intimidations would not resolve it, but for all hands to be on deck to resolve it.
“We have got to a stage where even ASUU has realised that government has done enough towards the implementation of the 2009 agreement.”
Wogu also appealed to the NUT on the proposed sympathy strike, saying: “I want to appeal to you to call off the proposed threat of strike. We just want to reassure that Federal Government would soon resolve the ASUU strike. Do not compound what is on ground, but rather suggest solution to government on how to end the strike.”
President of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Comrade Alogba Olukoya, in his response, said the union was not happy at the state of education in the country.”
Posted By:
Unknown
on 10/03/2013 09:26:00 am
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned the importation of all foreign currencies except with approval.
This was contained in a statement signed by CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu Okoroafor, on Tuesday in Abuja.
It said that the move was sequel to the Bank’s withdrawal of the operating licenses of 20 Bureau de Change (BDCs).
The Central Bank alleged that the BDCs purchased and sold huge sums of U.S. dollars with no documentation to show details of the transactions.
The statement quoted the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Sarah Alade, as saying that the CBN frowned at the existence of strong foreign exchange demand pressure from domestic sources.
She said that the Central Bank had observed a surge in dollar cash importation by banks and the huge cash sales of the dollars to BDCs by the banks. She disclosed that the purchase and sale of the cash were not adequately documented by the BDCs.
Ms. Alade said that if the trend was not contained, it could pose grave threats to the value of the Naira as well as the Nigerian economy which had gradually become dollarised.
She said the CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, and his team decided to take immediate action to safeguard the Naira and ensure its stability in the face of the aforementioned challenges.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank has also announced that the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) would take effect from Oct. 2.
This followed the suspension of the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) at the official foreign exchange market.
It said that the RDAS would allow only customers of deposit money banks to buy foreign exchange at the CBN through their banks. This is against the WDAS where the deposit money banks bought foreign exchange at the CBN on their own accounts and in turn sold to their customers.
“The re-introduction of the RDAS is expected to prevent round tripping of foreign exchange purchased at the CBN official window to unauthorised channels.
“Also, a circular has been issued mandating all deposit money banks to redeem all inward money transfers in Naira to the recipients at the prevailing inter-bank foreign exchange rate.
“This is in line with best practice,’’ it said.
The statement also said that the apex bank would continue to support the operations of BDCs in line with existing guidelines, adding that BDCs were still relevant in the foreign exchange market.
“To guard against stifling the activities of the BDCs, the CBN has authorised all deposit money banks to deal at the official foreign exchange market rate. It also warned that banks can only sell foreign exchange cash to BDCs subject to a maximum of 250,000 dollars per week per BDC.
“The CBN also advised all BDCs to continue to comply with the conditions of their operating licences, including the proper rendition of returns with respect to the purchases and sales of foreign exchange.’’
The statement said that the Central Bank had assured members of the public of its commitment to maintaining price stability and the preservation of the value of the naira in accordance with its mandate.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/30/2013 09:53:00 am
TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE,THE BEST BET FOR WE STUDENT NOW IS TO GO FOR AN EMPLOY-ABILITY ENABLING SKILL BECAUSE THIS STRIKE HAS TURNED TO A GAME THEOREM AFFAIR.IF YOU ARE IDLE AND YOU RESIDE IN LAGOS VISIT AGDC FOR YOUR STUDENT/SKILL EMPOWERMENT.OR USE MY CONTACT FORM TO GET MORE DETAIL.
Just weeks after the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities, ASUU, described the Federal Government as deceitful due to the way the latter has been dealing with issues responsible for the lingering strike by the union, the FG has also ASUU of being economical with the truth on the strike.
Speaking in Abuja when he received some youth groups who were on a visit to his office, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Matters, Com. Jude Imagwe, stated that the claim by the union that its action was to restore infrastructural decay in universities was nothing but a lie, noting that ASUU was fighting for allowances.
“They initially told us that it was about infrastructure, but it is about allowances. N30b has been released for the payment of their accumulated allowances, and N100b earmarked for infrastructural development. It is important for the public to know that government did not say this is all that it will give, but government says go and start the payment with this amount and let us know the amount it will add”.
Meanwhile, the suspended strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is to resume on Friday.
The union alleged insincerity and failure of the Federal Government to honour agreement entered with the union.
The union also passed a vote of no confidence on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), alleging that the board has failed to meet the needs and demands of polytechnic education in the country.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/30/2013 09:19:00 am
A cross section of Nigerian Muslims have berated organisers and participants in the Muslim Miss World beauty pageant incidentally won by a Nigerian, Miss Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola, a student of the University of Lagos.
All of those who bared their mind in today’s edition of Vanguard newspaper condemned the pageant held in Indonesia on September 18, describing it variously as a show of shame and un-Islamic and warning of heavy consequences from Allah for both the organisers and participants in the competition. In a major article on the issue entitled “Miss Muslimah World: A rash invention”, Ishola Balogun wrote:
“I listened and watched with amazement comments from people who tagged themselves liberal Muslims rationalising the show of shame in Indonesia last week where a Nigerian Muslim Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola was crowned the Miss Muslimah World. More stupefying is that those who ought to know and point out where the organisers of the pageant goofed and where the pageant is antithetical to Islam rather chose to celebrate it. Very unfortunate.
“Woman, as taught by Islam since the light of Islam, is a precious and most valuable being. She is to be protected, honoured, treasured and valued. And like a treasure, her beauty should be respected, hidden for the purpose of her security and safety so as not to be exposed to abuses by unworthy eyes and lustful minds.
“That is why the Quran in Chapter 24 verse 31 says: “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their head veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical desire, or small children who have no sense of s*x; and that they should not stamp their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O believers! Turn all together towards Allah, that you may attain bliss.” In the verses preceding the above verse, Allah also warned men telling them to lower their gazes.
“The fact that in every pageant, flaunting, parading of the body and cat-walking are a common phenomena, the Jakarta show was not an exception in this regard. The alibi that the 21 contestants were adorned in the Islamic wears with hijabs did not remove the fact that they flaunted and cat-walked to the amused audience which were both sexes. That to a large extent must have whipped the emotions and passions of men present at the event.
“So long as evidence from the Quran and Sunnah exists on lowering our gazes on women, all those men who sat to watch the catworking, strolling and poses of the Muslimah have run afoul of the injunction of Allah and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. (s.a.w). Didn’t the so-called liberal Muslims know that the philosophy behind the above warning is to make the ‘beauty’ of a woman private and not a public affair? Have they also pondered on the parametres for picking the winners?
“Yes! they recited the Holy Quran but was it a Quran reading completion? No. There were men not only among the audience but also among those who adjuged the the winner and losers. The Judges are Puan Jameya Syerif; Dr. Baron Abdul Radzak; Fareed Esky and KH Amidan of Indonesia Ulama Council. They tested the ladies on dedication, reputation, and concern to academics, religious knowledge, information technology and social community.
“In one of the posts which I read immediately after the pageant; it reads: “The grand final of the third World Muslimah peagant at Balai Sarbini in South Jakarta on Wednesday also began uniquely — with the women reciting verses from the Koran before strutting down the stage, wearing loosely fitting outfits and veils instead of revealing gowns. While some of the women paraded with a model’s confidence, others were more awkward as they tottered by in glittering high heels and long gowns.”
“Again, what is the need for a Miss World alternative? The argument that the Miss Muslimah World is a riposte to the Miss World is not enough to call Islmaic pageant when the religion does not support it. The Quran says in Surat Hud: “And do not incline towards the disbelievers.” Do not adore their ways and do not follow them. And hadiths also says ‘He who imitates a nation is from amongst them.’
“Instead of concentrating their energies on dawah, and offer assistance to people struck with poverty and disease all over the world, show love to people, especially to people in war-ravaged countries, denounce war and inhuman treatments in some parts of the world, they decided to compete with the shameful competition of Miss World. Islam has no hand in such matters. We must reject in its entirety this rash invention. The organisers should have a rethink, and refocus their interest and perhaps remove pageant out of it. Quran recitation competition is accepted world but with low publicity when women are involved because of the reservation Islam has for women.
“Islam preserves the woman’s right of modesty, guards her from the corruption of society and that no male other than her close relatives and her husband, has the right to behold her beauty. The Prophet said: “A woman should be concealed, for when she goes out, the devil looks at her.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 3109) The adornment of a woman is a private matter and not what should be celebrated in the public. That is what Islam teaches. Period.
“Other Muslims interviewed by Vanguard also condemned the Muslims Miss World pageant and the participants, including the winner.”
It’s against the principles of Islam —Lukman Idris
This Muslim pageant thing was sheer vainglory. This waywardness and has no basis in Islam as much as it does not in Christianity.
Looking at the exercise, it’s a way of showing off the even though they were wearing Hijab which are fashionable.
Also, during the exercise you will see men either Muslim or non-Muslim who will be commenting on their beauties and also being lustful. So, generally to me the pageant is totally against Islam and I will advise the organisers to put a stop to it. This is a sign of end time.
It’s a show of shame —Nurudeen
Successful indeed are the believers. And Glory be to Almighty Allah who blessed us with Quran and Sunnah. To say the truth, this show is never part of Islam, It is not a Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW), It was not practiced by our predecessors. To everybody reading this article, this show can be described as show of shame, by the so called ignorant people whose intention is to tarnish the name of Islam. Well, everybody shall be duly rewarded by our Creator according to individual actions. For the non-Muslims, Islam is a way of life, and does not teach beauty contest.
No alternative to Allah’s injunctions —Hajia Wasilat
There is no alternative to what Allah has decreed. Better things are out there they can do to contribute to Islam not beauty pageant.
As regards to Islamic belief, the Islamic pageant is not advisable because God created women with some kind of attraction and in order to curb unnecessary emotions, women are required not to flaunt their beauty. Despite the fact that they didn’t expose their body, men can still get attracted to them through their voices and the way they cat-walked. So, to me the pageant is against Islamic religion. Even if they want to test their knowledge or try to promote the Islamic religion through the recitation of Quran, I think it should not be in that manner because, as a woman in Islam, it’s not proper to expose yourself in public.
Aisha, organisers should repent —Hajia Maryam
When I heard about it, I thought it was a rumour, but was surprised when I saw it myself and I was ashamed.
The event is totally un-Islamic, therefore Aisha as she claimed to be, should repent and return all the prizes if actually she was a Muslim.The prizes are haram and the act, because Islam does not support pageant. But I think what they should have done is to just focus on the recitation privately and not by making it publicly. Even in Islam it is a sin for a lady to recite in the public except in a situation whereby you are either teaching or reciting to children.
Women are not allowed to flaunt their bodies. A Muslim woman is not allowed to flaunt her beauty in whatever form even in her Hijab (Islamic veil). So the concept of Miss Muslim World is alien to Islam and so not acceptable. The organisers of this programme should fear Allah and stop inventing this concept into Islam, for every innovation leads to hell fire. I think they should rather do charitable cause for Muslims who are living in abject poverty. Islam is a complete religion. Innovations like this is not allowed.
NEWS EXPRESS
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/26/2013 11:48:00 am
The deplorable state of the university system since members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on an indefinite strike to demand that the government make good its promises as stated in the 2009 agreement the government had with the union, may even go worse as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Tuesday threatened to commence a nationwide strike from next week.
National General Secretary of the union, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, dropped the hint in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union.
According to him, “The decision to embark on the nationwide strike is due to the fact that the members of the union had not been paid for two months despite working to keep university system running during the ongoing ASUU strike.”
He said: “NASU will start its own strike action next week because we have been working and government has refused to pay our salaries, and for us, it does not make sense to continue to keep the system running when we are not paid.”
He added: “The reason for this is not known to us. Workers in all federal universities are not paid their salaries right now and that’s a big challenge. Government has not paid our salary for August and as we are talking now, today is September 24, they are effectively owing us two months salary and there’s no way we can continue to do this work on empty stomach, while they run around the globe with heavy stomach.”
The NASU General Secretary, who said no reason was adduced for their non-payment, added, “the unfortunate thing is that they have no explanation for non-payment of our salaries.
“That’s enough patience on our part despite the fact that we have our grouse before with the federal government; that things are not running well. But we think as Nigerians and parents, we don’t have to unnecessarily ground the system. But if you take this our maturity and level-headedness to mean stupidity, them of course, people that complain that we in the university system have ruined the future of students by going on too many strikes imposed on us by government will have no reason not to understand, if we go on our own strike next week,” he stressed
Also speaking, the national president of NASU, Mr. Ladi Iliya, blamed the National Assembly for fighting on their political interest and future at the expense of welfare of Nigerians.
The NASU president, who said the National Assembly should have deliberated on issue of persistent insecurity and ASUU strike when it resume session, described the attitude of the legislators as shameful.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/26/2013 11:00:00 am
Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, says he is confident that the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will soon be called off.
Speaking, Wednesday, in Abuja, at a media parley with journalists, Okojie said the commission was doing everything within its powers to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues raised by ASUU so that students could return to school.
“We are part of the system and we understand the issues, we are meeting with members of the union all the time and the issues are being tackled.
“
So, we are optimistic the strike will soon be called off and our children can go back to school in the shortest possible time,” he said.
In reaction to the call by ASUU for NUC to be scrapped, Okojie said “the call is not in good faith as the commission has not gone to sleep over its duties”.
Also speaking on the recurrent disagreements between the commission and some professional bodies over accreditation and running of certain courses by some universities, Okojie acknowledged that there were issues that needed to be resolved between both parties.
“There is no country in the world where regulatory bodies and professional bodies go to regulate at the same time.
“So, it is true we are having problems with professional bodies in carrying out our mandate, but the issues too will soon be resolved and we can move on.
The executive secretary, who said that the commission had closed many faculties not fit to run courses in certain universities, admitted that; “it is not easy to be a regulator’’.
According to him, the commission was “silently regulating the system’’ having to also pay professional fees and encourage professors to do accreditation. [NAN]
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/24/2013 10:50:00 am
ASUU STRIKE SHOULD NOT HINDER US FROM INCREASING OUR INTELLECTUAL ARSENAL.BY NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE BACK TO SCHOOL(pessimistic?),THEN EMPLOY-ABILITY SKILL ACQUISITION IS A GOOD STEP.I BELIEVE THAT THE SOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA IS "MADE IN NIGERIA"
FINAL ACCOUNT
VOL 1
Construction contracts generally provide some mechanism for the final payment to be made to the contractor on completion of the works described in the contract. Generally this payment will be made at the end of the defects liability period providing that all patent defects have been rectified.
Preparing the final account is the process of calculating and agreeing any adjustments to the contract sum (the amount originally set out in the contract to be paid to the contractor for completion of the works) so that the amount of the final payment can be determined. The amount of the final payment is then set out in the final certificate (or final statement). It is possible for the final certificate to show that money is owed to the client, rather than due to the contractor.
Construction contracts may in fact not require the preparation of a final account, although they generally do require the contractor to provide all documents necessary for the adjustment of the contract sum within a specified time, and set out the time scale for and consequences of issuing the final certificate.
The contract sum may need to be adjusted for a number of reasons, including:
Variations.
Fluctuations.
Prime cost sums.
Provisional sums.
Payments to nominated sub-contractors or nominated suppliers.
Statutory fees.
Payments relating to the opening-up and testing of the works.
Loss and expense.
Liquidated and ascertained damages.
Contra claims imposed as a result of the contractor's operations (such as a third-party claim resulting from contractor negligence or contractual breach, for example, flooding a neighbor's property).
The release of any remaining retention.
Agreeing the final account can be a complicated, time consuming and adversarial process, often resulting in disputes. The process can be made easier if adjustments to the contract sum are agreed as the project progresses rather than saving them up for the end. It is also beneficial if the client's quantity surveyor and the contractor's quantity surveyor work together on drafts of the final account before agreement it sought. It is preferable that a draft copy of the final account is signed off by the contractor as an 'in full and final settlement' prior to issue.
Agreement of the final account will allow the contract administrator to issue the final certificate. The final certificate is conclusive that all patent defects have been remedied, all adjustments to the contract sum have been agreed and all claims settled. Latent defects may still become apparent after completion of the contract and these may give rise to action for damages, for breach of contract or negligence.
Where proceedings have begun in relation to a dispute, the conclusiveness of the final certificate is subject to the findings of those proceedings.
In addition, the final certificate itself can be disputed (usually within 28 days). Adjudication, arbitration or other dispute resolution procedures may then be necessary to resolve the dispute. The final certificate is then only conclusive in relation to matters that are not disputed.
If the client intends to pay a different amount from that shown on the certificate, they must give notice to the contractor of the amount they intend to pay and the basis for its calculation (a 'pay less notice' - see Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act for more information).
VOL 2
The final account stage of a building contract is the process during which the quantity surveyor determines the final cost of a project, based on the following documents:
The form of contract
Original priced bill of quantities
Variations
Drawings
Agreed contractor claims.
For public sector projects in particular the final account acts as the final part of the audit trail, allowing all financial transactions relating to the contract to be clearly traced with the contract bills of quantities being the starting point, it can be a lengthy and time consuming process. For a private sector client it may not always be necessary to produce a fully detailed final account as long as the client is convinced that the final project has delivered value for money.
For some public sector clients the account documents are subjected to audit. The final account should be prepared during the contract period, as some of the detail required will have been used during the preparation of variations and interim certificates and not left until the contract is complete. One reason for doing this is that it is better to measure and price variations during the currency of the contract while the facts are still fresh in people's minds, before work becomes covered up and changes of personnel make the accurate preparation of a final account more difficult and time consuming. Contracts will typically specify a fixed period following practical completion of the work within which the account must be prepared.
The final account which is prepared by the quantity surveyor is composed of the following:
Statement of Final Account
Final account summary
Adjustment of Prime Cost Sums if used
Adjustment of Provisional Sums
Adjustment of Provisional Items
Adjustment of variation account
Adjustment for fluctuations
Adjustment for contractor's claims
This statement is generally prepared in accordance with the conditions of building contract.ie the standard form of building contract. For example, in the JCT 05 Standard Form the clause dealing with the preparation of the final account or final adjustment is clause 4.5.
After the architect has issued the Certificate of Practical Completion the contractor must supply the quantity surveyor with all the necessary documentation in order that the final account (adjustment) can be prepared. The quantity surveyor then has an additional three months to prepare the final account (adjustment); there is no stipulated penalty stated in the contract if these deadlines are not met.
The adjustment of the contract sum normally falls under several relevant items, although the quantity surveyor must have regard to all the matters listed in the standard form of contract and conditions. The contract conditions tabulates all the matters that shall be dealt with in order to adjust the contract sum in accordance with the conditions.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/23/2013 06:39:00 pm
ASUU STRIKE SHOULD NOT HINDER US FROM INCREASING OUR INTELLECTUAL ARSENAL.BY NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE BACK TO SCHOOL(pessimistic?),THEN EMPLOY-ABILITY SKILL ACQUISITION IS A GOOD STEP.I BELIEVE THAT THE SOLUTION TO UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA IS "MADE IN NIGERIA"
live at the event.
Gov.-Babatunde-Raji-Fashola1Lagos State is Nigeria’s commercial capital no doubt, but it might have also earned itself the merriment capital after it was disclosed that about N36 billion is spent annually on weekend partying and merry making.
This jaw-dropping figure was dropped by Governor Babatunde Fashola weekend at the 4th edition of the Lagos Ignite Enterprise and Employability Project – a joint youth empowerment programme between the government and the After School Graduate Development Centre (AGDC).
He said: “A study of nightlife carried out by the government in five local governments (areas) Agege, Mushin, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikorodu and Ikeja, showed that about N3 billion was spent on 1, 555 parties held within the period.”
Gov. Fashola noted that the figure was collated after a study of the cultural side of Lagos party life, putting the monthly estimate at N3 billion. According to this estimate, in 12 months, about N36 billion is spent on partying in the state.
He urged the youth to tap into the investment opportunities provided by such occasions.
The study was carried out between the months of October and November 2012 with Thursday, Friday and Saturday taken as study samples for four weeks, the governor said.
He said: “In 12 nights, 1,555 parties were held in those local governments. In terms of drinks, food and all other engagements during such parties, about N1.2 billion was spent and when we disaggregated them, we saw how much went to DJ, MC, food and drinks.”
The governor further disclosed that clothing materials worn during such parties popularly called “aso-ebi”, gulped at least N1.2 billion monthly, saying the market has huge potentials with much yet to be tapped it.
He urged the youth to look beyond securing white collar jobs just as he also cited the revolution and huge money spinning opportunities in refuse collection and provision of rest rooms during events started by individuals.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/20/2013 05:48:00 pm
There have emerged indications that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may call of its ongoing strike within next two weeks.This information appeared after a Thursday closed-door meeting with the ASUU members and Nigerian Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, in Abuja.
The parties did not disclose the details of the meeting, which lasted for almost two hours.
However, ASUU National President, Dr. Nasir Faggae, told State House Correspondents that the union would make its position known after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for Saturday, September 21.In turn, the supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wikehad assured Nigerians that students would soon return to school as the FG stands ready to shift ground.
An insider source who wanted to say anonymous, disclosed that going by the new offers made by the FG, the strike might end within the next two weeks because the FG had agreed to release fund to revitalize the university system.
“The meeting went well, the vice-president made some new offers that were different from what was on ground before. For instance, the Federal Government had agreed to start the injection of revitalisation fund into the university system starting with N100bn this year and N150bn in 2014 and this will continue until the university system is solid enough to stand,” the source said.
It will be reminded that ASUU has been on an indefinite strike since June 30. The lecturers protest against the FG’s failure to honour a 2009 agreement signed between it and ASUU in 2009 pertaining to issues of university funding and improvement of infrastructure in the sector.
HISTORY OF THE STRIKE
ASUU has been on strike since June 30.
The Vice President Namadi Sambo has, in a bid to end the continuous gridlock in the dialogue between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and federal government, taken over the negotiation process. The government’s negotiation team was formerly headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim.
For the first time since the commencement of the over 10-week-old strike action by the union, the Vice President met with the leadership of the union at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.
The meeting was held behind closed doors.
Nigerian Universities have been shut down since June 30 as a result of federal government’s failure to honour an agreement signed between it and ASUU in 2009 bothering on issues of university funding and improvement of infrastructure in the sector.
Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa after the closed door meeting, the ASUU President, Nasir Fagge, said that he was taking back a “message given to him at the meeting for his members” and that Nigerians would have to wait for the response of his members on the way forward.
“We have had a meeting with the Vice President and he has given us a message to our members, and we said that as the messengers that we are, we are going to deliver the message faithfully to our members and then they will take the decision.”
According to him, “I know Nigerians are expecting a solution to the strike, we also want a solution, but I have been given a message to our members. The message is not for Nigerians, it is for our members”.
“If I deliver the message, our principal will decide and we will get back to the ministry of education within this week,” he added, saying the union would get back to the education minister on its stance on the government’s latest offer.
The federal government had offered N100 billion and N30 billion for infrastructure development in various universities and payment of verified earned allowances of lecturers respectively. It is not clear if the government made an improved offer for the lecturers whose only demand is that government implements fully the 2009 agreement.
The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who was also at the meeting, explained that the meeting had been convened to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
“One is quit hopeful that ASUU is committed, they have the passion and that there is the need for us to move the education sector forward.
“ASUU coming to discuss means that they are committed on their own part and that the federal government is also committed. We have gone very far, we believe that in no distance time, you will have a very good result,” he said.
Also on the ASUU delegation were two former Presidents of ASUU, Dipo Fasina and Abdullahi Sule-Kano.
Other members of the government’s delegation included the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Julius Okojie; as well as the Vice Chancellors of Bayero University Kano (BUK), University of Ibadan (UI) and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, Abdulrasheed Abubakar, Isaac Adewole, and Muhammed Muhammed respectively.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/20/2013 01:28:00 pm
Obianuju Catherine Udeh aka Dj Switch has emerge as the winner of the first edition of Glo X Factor.
Obianuju was crowned the winner after the grand finale.
Obianuju went home with a huge $150,000 prize money (₦24 million), an SUV and a recording contract with SONY music.
you got the swagg switch
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/20/2013 12:45:00 pm
Mr YOMI Akinyemi
A Typical Planner
HE IS COOL AND DOWN TO EARTH AND HARDWORKING
ABOUT
Work and Education
University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria
Imota Community Grammar School, Imota
Class of 2004 · Lagos, Nigeria
Living
Lagos, Nigeria
Current City
Imota, Lagos, Nigeria
Hometown
Basic Information
Birthday
November 5
Gender
Male
Interested In
STUDENT WELFARE,PLANNING AND REGIONALISM,BRAINSTORMING,CREATIVITY,ACCOUNTABILITY,SPORTS,ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Religious View
Christianity
Contact Information
Email
yomi.akinyemi.7@facebook.com
Favorite Quotations
Fear of God is the beginning wisdom
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/19/2013 03:29:00 pm
Obabiyi Aisha Ajibola being crowned as Muslimah World
Obabiyi Aisha Ajibola, tearfully prayed and recited Koranic verses as she won a world beauty pageant exclusively for Muslim women in the Indonesian capital Wednesday, a riposte to the Miss World contest that has sparked hardline anger.
The 20 finalists, who were all required to wear headscarves, put on a glittering show for the final of Muslimah World, strolling up and down a catwalk in elaborately embroidered dresses and stilettos.
But the contestants from six countries were covered from head to foot, and as well as beauty they were judged on how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world.
After a show in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims, a panel of judges picked Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola from Nigeria as the winner.
While the event in a Jakarta shopping mall paled in comparison to Miss World on the resort island of Bali, in which scores of contestants are competing, Ajibola was nevertheless overwhelmed.
Upon hearing her name, the 21-year-old, a student of the University of Lagos, knelt down and prayed, then wept as she recited a Koranic verse.
She said it was “thanks to almighty Allah” that she had won the contest. She received 25 million rupiah ($2,200) and trips to Mecca and India as prizes.
Ajibola told AFP before the final that the event “was not really about competition”.
“We’re just trying to show the world that Islam is beautiful,” she said.
Organisers said the pageant challenged the idea of beauty put forward by the British-run Miss World pageant, and also showed that opposition to the event could be expressed non-violently.
Eka Shanti, who founded the pageant three years ago after losing her job as a TV news anchor for refusing to remove her headscarf, bills the contest as “Islam’s answer to Miss World”.
“This year we deliberately held our event just before the Miss World final to show that there are alternative role models for Muslim women,” she told AFP.
“But it’s about more than Miss World. Muslim women are increasingly working in the entertainment industry in a sexually explicit way, and they become role models, which is a concern.”
Hosted by Dewi Sandra, an Indonesian actress and pop star who recently hung up her racy dresses for a headscarf, the pageant featured both Muslim and pop music performances, including one about modesty, a trait the judges sought in the winner.
The pageant, which also featured bright Indonesian Islamic designer wear, is a starkly different way of protesting Miss World than the approach taken by Islamic radicals.
Snowballing protest movement
Thousands have taken to the streets in Indonesia in recent weeks to protest Miss World, denouncing the contest as “p****graphy” and burning effigies of the organisers.
Despite a pledge by Miss World organisers to drop the famous bikini round, radical anger was not appeased and the protest movement snowballed.
The government eventually bowed to pressure and ordered the whole pageant be moved to the Hindu-majority island of Bali, where it opened on September 8.
Later rounds and the September 28 final were to be held in and around Jakarta, where there is considerable hardline influence.
But there are still fears that extremists may target the event — the US, British and Australian embassies in Jakarta have warned their nationals in recent days of the potential for radical attacks.
More than 500 contestants competed in online rounds to get to the Muslimah World final in Indonesia, one of which involved the contenders comparing stories of how they came to wear the headscarf.
The contest was first held in 2011 under a different name and was only open to Indonesians, Shanti said, but after the media began comparing it to Miss World, it was rebranded as a Muslim alternative to the world-famous pageant.
Because of its popularity, organisers accepted foreign contestants this year for the first time, with Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Nigeria and Indonesia represented.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/17/2013 11:42:00 am
If you think marriage is all about those nice romantic moments, you need a reality check! Married life is a kaleidoscope of moments, some romantic and some embarrassing and awkward. But yes, it is these ‘Oops!’ moments that add the much needed spice to a marriage. Years down the line, these moments will make you burst into laughter. After all, the kind of bond you build with your spouse largely depends on moments that are less than perfect.
If you are already married, you will relate to this list. In case you are not, there are some moments that you might want to avert! So, take a look:
1. Awkward kiss
The awkward kiss tops the list, and is experienced by almost everyone who is married. The awkward moment when you are about to kiss your partner, she/he suddenly moves and you plant the kiss on the nose instead. There are so many variations to the moment; each of you might have experienced some version of it sometime or other.
2. Loud fart
Oops! Another very common awkward moment is when you fart really loud. It just gets more embarrassing when you are in a more intimate position with your spouse, especially in the beginning stages of your marriage. However, as you continue living with your spouse, in happiness or despair or those farting moments, such moments don’t seem awkward anymore
3. Called the wrong name
Calling out your spouse by an ex’s name is not only one of the most awkward moments, but also a major goof up that you can make. The scenario can be even worse, if you do it while making out. In fact, such a moment is downright catastrophic!
4. A walk in the toilet
The relationship that a husband and wife share is definitely quite intimate. But, your spouse walking in the toilet, while you are using it, could be an awkward moment for both of you. This is one visual aid that you would definitely not want in your memory banks. Keep doors locked well and save yourself from the embarrassment.
5. Kids march in during make-out session
So you are not only married, but also have kids. That does not mean that romance is dead. However, a kid marching in while you are making out passionately is a definite awkward moment. So, make sure you have complete privacy before indulging in some steamy action!
6. The in-law talk
Imagine, you walk right into the house foul-mouthing your in-laws to your spouse, thinking she/he is the only one in there. But, you are unpleasantly surprised, or rather shocked to see your in-law emerging from nowhere into the hall. Bingo! I guess, ‘speechless’ can be the only reaction in such a scenario.
Posted By:
Unknown
on 9/17/2013 11:22:00 am
Bills Of Quantities (Senior Lecturer note)
BILLS OF QUANTITIES
BY
The bills of quantities is a form of document which sets out the quantities and descriptions of the items of
labour, materials and plant required to erect and complete a building or other works in a systematic manner.
The preliminary section of the bill sets out the practical and contractual conditions of the project, particulars of
the type of contract to be used and also the details of general matters, which may affect the price of the work
together with project overheads. Project overheads are items that cannot be attributed to any particular
measured work section. The measured items are grouped in appropriate sections and each section starts with a number of preamble clauses.
CONTENTS OF THE BILLS OF QUANTITIES
The principal use of the bills of quantities is to obtain competitive tenders and for this purpose bills of quantities
should be prepared to a recognised Method of Measurement to standardise the bills.
Bills of quantities, prepared in accordance with a Standard Method of Measurement, fully describe and
accurately represent the works to be executed and this provides a uniform basis for competitive tendering.
During the construction of the project the client and the contractor use the bills as the basis for financial
management.
Bills of Quantities may consist some or all of the followings:
Bill Nr. 1. Preliminaries.
Bill Nr. 2. Preambles.
Bill Nr. 3. Measured Works
(a). Carcass - I. Foundations (Substructure)
ll. Frame (Columns & Beams)
lll. External & Internal Walls
lV. Partitions
V. Floors
Vl. Roofs
(b). Finishing - I. External & Internal Finishing (Walls, Floors & Ceilings)
II. Windows
III. Doors including openings without joinery
IV. Fixtures & Sundries
V. Stairs & Lifts
VI. Plumbing & Engineering Services
(c). External Works - I. Drainage
II. Roads, Paths, Site Layouts, Outbuildings etc.
(d). Spot Items - These items are alteration and repair items of a building.
Bill Nr. 4. Provisional Quantities
Bill Nr. 5. Prime Cost & Provisional Sums
Bill Nr. 6. Contingency Sums
Bill Nr. 7. General Summary
2
PURPOSES OF BILLS OF QUANTITIES
The bills of quantities are in use to the construction team for different purposes at different stages and it is used
in different ways. They are as follows:
To or by the Client
(a). The priced bills of quantities provide statistical information on project.
(b). A reasonable contract sum can be obtained through competitive tendering.
(c). It provides the basis for the preparation of cash flow during the construction.
To or by the Client’s/Consultant’s Quantity Surveyor
(a). Cost Analysis is prepared from priced bills of quantities and used to estimate the future projects.
(b). Priced bills of quantities used for Interim Valuation.
(c). Priced bills form the basis on which the final account is settled.
(d). Bill rates provide a good basis for valuing variations.
(e). Used for negotiating further contract. It may be a separate or a continuation contract.
To or by the Contractor or his Quantity Surveyor
(a). Provides a uniform basis for pricing of competitive tenders.
(b). Used to calculate the quantity of materials.
(c). Use for the preparation of the cash flow.
(d). Use to prepare the construction programme.
(e). Provides a good basis for the settlement of Domestic Sub-contractors’ claims.
To or by the Clerks of Works
(a). Use to control the quality of materials and standards of workmanship.
ESSENTIALS IN A GOOD QUANTITY SURVEYOR
The essentials in a good Quantity Surveyor are:
1. An ability to describe clearly, fully precisely the requirements of the Architect and arrange the bills of
quantities so that the builder’s estimator can quickly, easily, and accurately arrive at the estimated cost
of the project.
2. It is important that the Surveyor should be able to write clearly in language that will not be
misunderstood, and must have sound knowledge of building materials and construction, and of customs
prevailing in the industry.
3. The surveyor must be careful and accurate in making calculations, have systematic and orderly mind
and be able to visualise the drawings and details.
4. Requires a detailed knowledge of contractor’s prices, experience of the building process and an ability
to foresee the likely effect of economics trends to give Cost Analysis.
5. A certain amount of Legal knowledge (i.e. The Law of Contract) to deal with contracts.
3
PRODUCTION OF BILLS OF QUANTITIES
There are several techniques of preparing Bills of Quantities. The most important techniques in current use are
as follows:
(a). Traditional Method. (This method is also known as the Group System or London Method).
This system provides the “taker off” with a logical system of measurement designed to promote accurate and
efficient taking off. The work is measured in series of groups, each representing a particular section of the
building without regard to the order in which items will finally appear in the bill. As the sequence of
measurement is not related to the order of the bill the “working up” process must involve the preparation of an
abstract to collect and arrange the items in the order necessary for writing the draft bill. This system is mostly
used in the examinations.
(b). Billing Direct. (This method is also known as Trade-by-Trade System or Northern Method).
This method involves “taking off” by trades, in order of billing, without the necessity for an abstract and transfers
the measured items from the dimension sheets to the bill direct. Each item is taken off as a separate entity in
the order in which it will eventually be billed including all relevant deductions thereby reducing time and lowering
costs of preparing bills of quantities. This system is suitable when the work is relatively straightforward and the
number of items limited.
DIVISIONS OF BILL PREPARATION
There are several methods of preparing bills of quantities. The traditional method of preparation of bills of
quantities can be broken down into two main processes.
Taking off:
This involves the measurement of dimensions, scaled or read from the drawings and entered in a recognised
form of specially ruled paper called “Dimension Paper” and the composition of clear and concise description
sufficiently detailed to allow the accurate pricing of the works.
Working up:
This process can be divided into two stages as follows:
Squaring: This comprises squaring the dimensions and transferring the resultant lengths,
areas and volumes to the abstract.
Abstracting: The squared dimensions are arranged in convenient order for billing and
reduced to the recognised units of measurement.
The other processes are:
Editing: The editor must check and make adjustments in the abstract, prior to printing
as the draft bill is written direct from the abstract.
Writing the bill: This process involves the listing in full, the various items of work, making up
the complete project with the quantities involved in a suitable order, under work
sections or elemental headings.
QUANTITIES AS PART OF THE CONTRACT
When bills of quantities form part of the contract documents, the contract provides that the quantities of work
comprised in the contract, shall be that, set out in the bills of quantities. In such cases the builder is expected to
do and the employer to neither pay for more nor less than the quantities given, an arrangement, which is fair to
both parties. It will be seen how important accuracy is in the preparation of the bill, how a substantial error might
lead a building owner to enter into a contract which involved a sum considerably beyond what was
contemplated.
4
STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT (SMM)
The First Revision of the Method of Measurement of Building Works (Sri Lanka Standards 573:1999) sets
out rules for the measurement and description of building works. The SMM (SL) is a document, which provides
not only a uniform basis for measuring building work but also embodies the essentials of good practice. If all the
bills of quantities are prepared in accordance with these rules then all parties concerned are aware of what is
included and what is to be assumed. Without the use of such a set of rules, the quantities in the Bills of
Quantities can vary widely.
Sometimes in practice, it is more appropriate to depart from the rules in the SMM (SL), in which case this must
be stated in the description of the item. Generally it is stressed that the principles of measurement as laid down
in the SMM (SL) should be followed as the more deviations that take place then the less uniform a document is
provided, thereby creating possible uncertainty. Therefore, especially for examination purposes the use of the
SMM (SL) can be recommended.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCURACY
Whatever the method adopted for bill preparation, the requirement for accuracy is the same. For example:
1. Work shall be measured net as fixed in position overlaps. (General Rule 4.1)
2. Dimensions used in calculating quantities shall be taken to the nearest 10 mm. (i.e. 5 mm and less than
5 mm shall be disregarded). (General Rule 4.2). All dimensions shall be recorded to two decimal places
and waste calculations are to three decimal places.
3. Quantities measured in tonnes shall be given to two decimal places. (General Rule 4.3).
4. Other quantities shall be given in the nearest whole except that any quantity less than ten shall be given
as to the nearest first decimal. (General Rule 4.4).
5. Voids or openings, which are wholly within the boundaries of measured areas and voids or openings
wholly at the boundaries of measured piers, columns and similar members, shall always be the subject
of deduction, irrespective of size. (General Rule 4.5).
6. Items can be measured within a range of stated limits.
7. Minimum deductions for voids.
8. Averaging or an interpolation of levels may be required for the measurement of excavation.
Due to problems with reprographics and the inherent inaccuracy of the process, scaling drawings should be
avoided whenever possible. However, where dimensions are stated on drawings, there is no excuse for
measurements being anything other than correct. A bill of quantities shall be as accurate as reflection of the
drawings and information available at the time of measurement as possible.
QUALITY CONTROL
In the context of bills of quantities, under most form of building contract any error is not at the risk of the
tenderer but will be deemed a variation and liable for adjustment in the final account. Therefore, there is an
obligation to ensure that the bills of quantities are as accurate as possible by applying checks on both the
process and procedure in an effort to avoid or correct errors at the appropriate stage.
Check list.
1. Create a drawing register for each project to ensure that only the latest revised drawings are used. A
complete list of these drawings shall be incorporated in the preliminaries and shall form a part of the
tender document.
2. Check that there is sufficient information for taking off process. If not make use of Query Sheets, which
should be sent to Architect/Engineer in duplicate, for reply, with a copy kept in file.
3. Scales on drawings and the sum of internal and external dimensions shall be arithmetically checked.
5
4. Any separate schedules and/or specification notes shall be compared with annotations on the drawings
and especially with regard to references and the number of items.
5. Check the general information to be included in the Preliminaries.
6. The name of the project must appear on every sheet, which shall also be numbered and dated.
7. Offer the taking-off in a clear, un-cramped presentation and write the dimensions so as to avoid
introducing errors:
(a). A taking off list is essential with items being marked through once they have been measured.
(b). Annotate everything for clarity and make side notes for ease of reference and always use
figured dimensions in preference to scaling.
(c). All sundry calculations shall be calculated in waste so that the arithmetic can be checked and
others can follow the taking-off. Mental calculations cannot be checked.
(d). Dimensions shall never be erased, obliterated or altered. To correct dimensions neatly cross
them out, write NIL alongside, taking care to identify clearly the extent of the correction and rewrite
correctly.
(e). All figures must be clearly written in the correct column.
(f). To avoid repetition of dimensions, use is made of the timesing column whereby they can be
multiplied. Great care must be taken when timesing or dotting on so as to prevent squaring
errors, particularly when dealing with fractions. When writing fractions in the timesing column,
a horizontal line rather than a diagonal slash must be used to avoid any confusion with
timesing.
(g). When an item or dimension is to be deducted it must be prefaced with the word Deduct
(abbreviated Ddt.) and also subsequent deductions are marked similarly. The item or
dimension immediately following the deduction shall be preferred with the word Add.
(h). Do not use ditto at the head of a new page or the head of a column.
(j). Centre lines used for a number of related items shall be checked carefully.
(k). Rough arithmetical checks shall be made on the overall quantities, which are interrelated.
(l). Read dimensions through for any obvious errors before offering them up for squaring and the
person who squares the dimensions shall first check waste calculations to ensure that in the
transfer of totals to the dimension column no errors have occurred. If an error is found it shall
be referred to the taker-off prior to adjustment.
(m). Preamble details shall be checked and any outdated or obsolete references amended. When
measured work, specifically refer to a particular Preamble Clause, it shall be checked that they
relate to the correct item.
(n). Careful reading over and a final editing of the typed draft bill by an experienced Quantity
Surveyor will provide the last opportunity for corrections prior to printing and may reveal errors
which have missed in the earlier checks.
Differences of techniques between individual practices or Surveyors shall not be assumed as errors.
Contrasting circumstances and differing customs mean that not every eventuality can be anticipated.
