Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Ms Amal Pepple has indentified under-development and poverty responsible for the poor construction project management in Nigeria.

Pepple said this in Abuja at a two-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Institution of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), with the theme "Essential Competencies for Construction Project Management".

The minister noted that the workshop will help in examining and proffering solutions to the challenges facing the building industry.

According to her, poor project management skills could lead to cost over-runs, project delivery delays and abandoned projects, adding that infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, power plants, housing estates and hospitals are critical to Nigeria's economic development, including its social aspects.

"These infrastructures were also essential determinants of productivity. The more advanced the country's construction project management competencies were, the more efficient Nigerian businesses would be. Thereby, we will be creating more employment opportunities," she said.

Pepple reiterated the readiness of the ministry to cut down on its operations in line with President Goodluck Jonathan's Transformation Agenda while calling for a synergy between the public and private sectors to bridge the infrastructure gap in the country.

In his welcome remarks, NIQS President, AgeleAlufohai, said the institution will collaborate with the ministry to ensure that Nigerians get value for money through professional competence.

Agele said the NIQS would continue to support federal government's programmes and policies, especially on infrastructure enhancement.