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Tag: Surveyors

  • Surveyors join international standards board

    The Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors &Valuers (NIESV) is linking up with standards bodies globally to drive local practice.

    NIESV President, Dr. Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi said with globalisation, no professional body could afford to work in isolation without adhering to best global practice.

    He said no nation is an island of knowledge or can exist without relationship with other nations if they must remain competitive.  He said currently, all professional practices have a global link where standards are set in terms of principles, practice, control and ethics and to remain in business they must remain competitive in terms of knowledge and skill.

    He said a Nigerian surveyor could pick business anywhere in the world due to the new skills acquired in addition to the membership of international regulatory bodies.

    He said: “Our institution has decided to work with international organisations that work on standards. For instance, at present, we have international ethics standard coalition, we are the first African country that joined the body and, interestingly, our member is the sole African representative. Our aim is to ensure our practice meet international practice standards. We have inched up our local practice by joining international bodies such as the International Property Measurement Standards body, International Financial Reporting Council and the International Valuation Standard which is conglomeration of Realtors globally. Incidentally our member is one the Council members of this great global body.”

    He also said NIESV was putting together a standards book that would be a guide to all Estate Surveyors &Valuers in Nigeria in addition to all other international practice guide open to them as a result of joining the several practice bodies.

  • Surveyors to tackle corruption

    The 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has ended in Osogbo, Osun State.

    The conference, themed:  “Beyond Mapping – Integrating Geospatial Solutions for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development in Nigeria”, focused on generating solutions for nation building using spatial data.

    In a communique issued at the end of the conference, the Institution commended the commitment of the Federal Government to fight corruption in the country and observed that professionals have a key role to play in the war against corruption.  It resolved that surveyors should champion the cause by ensuring that they are not collaborators and assist relevant government agencies to stamp out the malaise from the national development. To achieve this, delegates  agreed that government should make better use of professionals to further enhance the development of the nation.

    The conference also expressed concerns over the none appointment of a new president and composition of membership of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), which it noted, was stifling the profession.  It, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint new members of the Council of which the nominees are already in his office, to remedy the situation.

    The Conference was declared opened by the Executive Governor of State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola with two Keynote Speakers, Prof. Femi Odekunle, Professor of Criminology and Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and an Emeritus Professor Adewale Akinsola, a retired Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Nigeria.

  • ‘Surveyors not responsible for high rent’

    Surveyors and valuers are not responsible for the huge housing deficit and high rent, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Offiong Ukpong, has said.

    He was reacting to the claim of Works, Power and Housing Minister Mr. Babatunde Fashola that surveyors and valuers should be blamed for those problems.

    Ukpong, who led a delegation to visit Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, said surveyors and valuers were often accused of being responsible for several anti-tenancy activities, high cost of renting properties; tenants’ inability to pay rent; fixing of high rent and charging high fees.

    According to him, NIESV, which ought to have been a development partner to the government, is not treated as such by the authorities, considering that when major decisions are taken, the body, according to him, is not represented.

    “The cost of land, its preparation, taxes and levies paid are not under our control nor advice. We do not determine accommodation density nor are we involved in the design of the building, yet we shall be managing it when all others exit. We are not involved at the construction stages, neither is our advice sought on areas of cost savings or elimination of dead spaces or unnecessary facilities. Our opinion is not sought on whether the housing provision is for social housing or investment considerations,” Ukpong said.

    He said often estate valuers were called at the completion of a project to do the marketing and management, sometimes, at a predetermined rent. Besides, property owners, most times, shun the advice of valuers, who are easily relieved of the job if they advise anything to the contrary.

    He said in other countries, real estate development attracted 2 to 4 per cent interest rate per annum at a tenor of between 15 to 25 years.

    “Is government giving mortgage? For what duration and at what rate? If rent is high what of Land Use Charge? What is the return to land as a factor of production, and should it not be competitive? Instead of any blame game, we should be thinking of synergies and partnerships rather than the neglect our profession has suffered these past years,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the NIESV delegation also sought the monarch’s influence in swinging patronage for the body. Specifically, they canvassed the partnership of all stakeholders in the drive for urban renewal of Lagos Island and other areas.

    “It is a fact that Lagos Island is the cradle of civilisation in Nigeria. Lagos was and is still the London of most other states in Nigeria. But if you look carefully at Lagos, perhaps with the eye of an estate surveyor and valuer, you will see that those buildings that were outstanding and impressive then have lost their steam and prestige,” he observed.

    Ukpong said there were many areas due for redevelopment, including most parts of Lagos Island, Shitta, Iddo, amongst others. He expressed concern that despite that Lagos is a major town in the world, it is, however, a shame that 30 metres from its major highways, rural characteristics were still prevalent. He admonished that the multiple interests subsisting in tiny units of development or buildings can be identified, harmonised or aggregated and developed into multi-storey buildings with modern conveniences and facilities without losing the original ownership rights or interest.

    On building collapse, the NIESV team noted that the multiple-storey buildings dotting the skyline of Marina and Broad Street had been in existence for many years, while several new developments across the state had collapsed. Most of the old projects were managed by estate surveyors and valuers, and none have collapsed.

    “You will recall the works of Knight Frank and Rutley as he then was called, Fox and Co. and many other indigenous firms that operated then. They were involved in project conception, project management and property management, and we had more organised cities and society. But, suddenly, every other professionals in the built environment thought that what the estate surveyors and valuers know and could do can be done by them and we became known, called and addressed as estate agents and today, the buildings are collapsing, the cities are decaying and the environment is blighted,” he said.

    Ukpong urged the state government to adopt the old method of construction and management, which stipulated that no building above four floors should be approved without the inclusion of a consultant estate surveyor and valuer, who knows what to do and the enormous responsibility of his profession in every project.

    Besides, Ukpong said, the government should consider the establishment of the office of the Valuer-General of the Federation, and by extension, in all the states; appoint an estate surveyor and valuer as a minister and commissioner in Lagos State, and partner the professionals on urban renewal of Lagos Island and other areas of the state requiring regeneration.

    He charged the government to engage members more in policy formulation and positions of responsibility as their competencies were daily getting destroyed and eroded, with the society and the people being the worst for it.

    Said he: “In the Federal Executive Council today, there is no estate surveyor and valuer there. But the estate surveyor and valuer is also a land economist. Who advises the government on land matters?”

  • ‘Surveyors not responsible for high rent’

    Surveyors and valuers are not responsible for the huge housing deficit and high rent, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Branch Chairman Mr. Offiong Ukpong has said.

    He was reacting to the claim of Works, Power and Housing Minister Mr. Babatunde Fashola’s that surveyors and valuers should be blamed for those problems.

    Ukpong, who led a delegation to visit Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, said surveyors and valuers were often accused of being responsible for several anti-tenancy activities, high cost of renting properties; tenants’ inability to pay rent; fixing of high rent and charging high fees.

    According to him, NIESV, which ought to have been a development partner to the government, is not treated as such by relevant authorities, considering that when major decisions are taken, the body, according to him, is not represented.

    “The cost of land, its preparation, taxes and levies paid are not under our control nor advice. We do not determine accommodation density nor are we involved in the design of the building, yet we shall be managing it when all others exit. We are not involved at the construction stages, neither is our advice sought on areas of cost savings or elimination of dead spaces or unnecessary facilities. Our opinion is not sought on whether the housing provision is for social housing or investment considerations,” Ukpong said.

    He said often estate valuers were called at the completion of a project to do the marketing and management, sometimes, at a predetermined rent. Besides, property owners, most times, shun the advice of valuers, who are easily relieved of the job if they advise anything to the contrary.

    He said in other countries, real estate development attracted 2 to 4 per cent interest rate per annum at a tenor of between 15 to 25 years.

    “Is government giving mortgage? For what duration and at what rate? If rent is high what of Land Use Charge? What is the return to land as a factor of production, and should it not be competitive? Instead of any blame game, we should be thinking of synergies and partnerships rather than the neglect our profession has suffered these past years,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the NIESV delegation also sought the monarch’s influence in swinging patronage for the body. Specifically, they canvassed the partnership of all stakeholders in the drive for urban renewal of Lagos Island and other areas.

    “It is a fact that Lagos Island is the cradle of civilisation in Nigeria. Lagos was and is still the London of most other states in Nigeria. But if you look carefully at Lagos, perhaps with the eye of an estate surveyor and valuer, you will see that those buildings that were outstanding and impressive then have lost their steam and prestige,” he observed.

    Ukpong said there were many areas due for redevelopment, including most parts of Lagos Island, Shitta, Iddo, amongst others. He expressed concern that despite that Lagos is a major town in the world, it is, however, a shame that 30 metres from its major highways, rural characteristics were still prevalent. He admonished that the multiple interests subsisting in tiny units of development or buildings can be identified, harmonised or aggregated and developed into multi-storey buildings with modern conveniences and facilities without losing the original ownership rights or interest.

    On building collapse, the NIESV team noted that the multiple-storey buildings dotting the skyline of Marina and Broad Street had been in existence for many years, while several new developments across the state had collapsed. Most of the old projects were managed by estate surveyors and valuers, and none have collapsed.

    “You will recall the works of Knight Frank and Rutley as he then was called, Fox and Co. and many other indigenous firms that operated then. They were involved in project conception, project management and property management, and we had more organised cities and society. But, suddenly, every other professionals in the built environment thought that what the estate surveyors and valuers know and could do can be done by them and we became known, called and addressed as estate agents and today, the buildings are collapsing, the cities are decaying and the environment is blighted,” he said.

    Ukpong urged the state government to adopt the old method of construction and management, which stipulated that no building above four floors should be approved without the inclusion of a consultant estate surveyor and valuer, who knows what to do and the enormous responsibility of his profession in every project.

    Besides, Ukpong said, the government should consider the establishment of the office of the Valuer-General of the Federation, and by extension, in all the states; appoint an estate surveyor and valuer as a minister and commissioner in Lagos State, and partner the professionals on urban renewal of Lagos Island and other areas of the state requiring regeneration.

    He charged the government to engage members more in policy formulation and positions of responsibility as their competencies were daily getting destroyed and eroded, with the society and the people being the worst for it.

    Said he: “In the Federal Executive Council today, there is no estate surveyor and valuer there. But the estate surveyor and valuer is also a land economist. Who advises the government on land matters?”

  • Surveyors seek approval of land reforms committee’s proposals

    Surveyors seek approval of land reforms committee’s proposals

    The Federal Government has been asked to  approve the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms and  Council of State proposals on land administration to bridge the housing gap.

    The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Values (NIESV) said this was imperative to tackle the housing challenge.

    The institution said it would make a presentation on land administration and related matters to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

    NIESV President Dr. Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi, at a briefing, said the government had not addressed a major constraint – land administration despite the acute housing problem.

    According to the institution, reviewing and enacting title registration laws are long overdue if any meaningful feat is to be achieved in bridging the over 17 million housing deficit in the country.

    NIESV, it was gathered, in a proposal to Fashola, noted that the Land Use Act poses challenges to land administration and housing. The body of surveyors, therefore, appealed to the Minister to approve the regulation proposed by the Presidential Technical Committee on Land reforms and the National Council of State, which will make it easier for the titling and registering of land both in the urban and rural areas.

    Similarly, Patunola-Ajayi said NIESV finds it rather regrettable the inaccurate inventory of public or government fixed assets across the country. This situation, he said, has made it impossible, to find a complete record of all Federal Government fixed assets in one location, especially in the lands department, which, ideally should be government’s repository of lands and other housing related records.

    “Apart from the loss or damage of records sites, government has not consciously invested in inventory of its fixed assets and creating a reliable database from it. Not only will such exercise be money well spent, but it will also minimise the loss of government property. It will make portfolio management easier and critical decisions on rationalisation of non-core assets can be taken transparently,” Patunola-Ajayi said.

  • Surveyors urge govt to reform housing programme

    The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) President, Dr. Patunola-Ajayi, has urged the Federal Government to reform its programme on housing. He stated that there are people that cannot afford to buy houses, but if built for the masses and are affordable, they can try to access it.

    PatunolaAjayi, who made the call at the Institution’s 46th Annual General Meeting in Abuja, said by the time the government reforms its programme on housing, there will be enough housing for the masses.

    He said: “The government should inject money into housing and power, any money available now should be injected into these projects, they are projects that will generate quick employment for all cadres.

    “The situation in the country presently is really tense, the people need a programme that will give relief to the people. By the time some of these projects are kicked off, activities will start and by the end of the year when we are accessing we will see that things have really improved.

    “If there is power supply we can boost that 50 per cent of our national problems are solved. Money available right now should be injected into housing and power.”

    Patunola-Ajayi said the beauty of housing projects is job generation for all cadres. Government, he said should take quick action to ensure that projects are initiated, adding that by the time these projects kick off, there would be a relief in all sectors.

    According to him, the situation now is tense, adding that there is a need for a programme that will give relief so that at the end of the year, it will be obvious that things have taken a new turn.

    “On the government’s activities on road, power and housing, they are still working on the budget, when I saw the proposed budget, it is obvious that there is need for a re-think on putting more into capital project, especially on works and housing, the government should move in any  way they can to produce houses for rent,”he said.

    Patunola-Ajayi said the government had not started work, as the budget has not been sorted out, and until money is allocated and contractors are mobilised, nothing would be kick started.

  • Surveyors set new standard for measurement

    The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) has instituted a new standard for measurement of buildings and engineering works. It is expected to become effective from May 2017.

    Its President, Mrs. Mercy Iyortyer, who spoke during a training in Abuja, said the institute has set in motion the process of developing a software with the standard known for its ease of usage.

    Under this arrangement, the BESMM4 would replace BESMM3 as the official Standard Method of Measurement of Works to be used with conditions of Engagement and Consultancy Services Agreement to be approved and directed by the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN). BESMM4 would be admitted for use on measurement papers for both Graduateship (GDE) and Test of Professional Competence (TPC) Examinations.

    Before now, BESMM3, which was published by the institute in 2008, has been the officially recognised standard method of measurement for use in Nigeria till date.

    Explaining the need for the change, Iyortyer disclosed that some errors in text and context were noted in the outgoing standard, which necessitated correction by removal of unnecessary features, inserting omissions, rearrangement of content and incorporating additional rules deemed necessary to enable the document serve its purpose more effectively.

    The shortfall, Iyoryter said, have been addressed in BESMM4 and urged the NIQS national executive council   to sensitise members on its usage and relevance to total cost management of construction and engineering works.

  • Surveyors celebrate department’s anniversary at UNN

    Surveyors celebrate department’s anniversary at UNN

    The Geoinformatics and Survey Department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has celebrated its 55th anniversary amid great fanfare. The occasion brought together those who graduated from the department decades ago.

    Why were they in such joyous mood? Almost all the participants were returning to their alma mater several years after they graduated, some now addressed as professors, doctors and chiefs, many holding key positions in government. Some were also meeting for the first time since they graduated more than 50 years ago.

    Although, the award gala took place at the Institute of Surveyors’ Secretariat, Surveyors House, Enugu, the opening ceremony was held inside the main hall of the University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus.

    Declaring the event open, the new Deputy Vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof. Smart Uchegbu challenged surveyors and estate managers to help government find a solution to the frequent cases of building collapse in the country.

    He said that this collaboration and advice from experts had become necessary to save further loss of lives arising from collapsed buildings.

    Uchegbu, who took over from former DVC, Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, called on the alumni and corporate bodies in the country to support the institution, as government allocation was no longer sufficient to meet its needs and maintain its leading role in the nation’s education industry.

    He expressed with joy and sense of fulfilment that the surveying department that started in 1961 with only 12 students, now enjoys students’ enrolment of over 200.

    Uchegbu, who represented the VC UNN, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba on the occasion, noted that since inception, the department had made great strides in teaching, learning and research, which he said were the bedrock of the existence of the University, even as he re-assured that the university must continue to ensure that the young receive the best training in this highly competitive world.

    He said, “This is a reflection of the importance of this profession in national development, your products are today occupying prominent positions in many areas of human endeavour, both scientific and environmental spheres, in fact, I am informed that one of your products, Emeritus Professor Francis Fajemirokun, former deputy vice chancellor, University of Lagos, would deliver the keynote lecture on this occasion.

    “While rejoicing with you on this great gathering, and celebration of 55th anniversary of your alma mater, I invite you to savour the cool scenery of this campus, which I am sure, will bring back old memories of the time you were here as students”.

    The head of department of Geoinformatics and surveying, University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, restated the determination of the institution to continue to maintain its pride of place in the comity of modern surveying training in the country, adding that being the first among the first generation universities to offer surveying, they had strived to main that position.

    Moka explained that in order to keep abreast with the global changing trend in the profession; the name of the department had been changed from department of surveying to department of surveying, Geodesy and Photogrammetry and now to the department of Geoinformatics and Surveying.

    “For us to remain relevant as a force, “he said, “we have tried to embrace every emerging technology in the field of study within the available resources; the university authority has been supportive, notwithstanding the dwindling allocations from the federal government”.

    The HOD disclosed that the Education Trust Fund (ETF)had come to their assistance at a point when the federal government attempted to designate the University of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in the study of surveying in the country.

    Moka, who graduated from UNN in 1982, also praised the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), the Nigerian Institution of Surveying, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra state branches and some alumni for supporting the department at different times.

    He said that due to the capital intensive nature of the programme, all the supports had not been able to meet the financial demands of running the department, pointing out that the National University Commission, NUC and SURCON accreditation exercises last year, had complained of some of the areas of deficiencies, even as the programme was not threatened by being de-accredited in any way whatsoever.

    At the award gala nite, some eminent surveyors, who have contributed to the growth of the profession were honoured, prominent among them were – Professor Emeritus Francis Fajemirokun, Prof. Francis Okeke, the dean, faculty of environmental studies UNEC, Mr. John Okoye, Quarshie-Doku from Ghana, Prof. Okpala Okaka, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, the HOD Geoinformatics and Surveying UNEC, Dr. Ndukwe Emmanuel Chiemelu, Mrs. Mary Bassey Okofu and Dr. Vitus Uzodinma of the University of Nigeria. he Geoinformatics and Survey Department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has celebrated its 55th anniversary amid great fanfare. The occasion brought together those who graduated from the department decades ago.

    Why were they in such joyous mood? Almost all the participants were returning to their alma mater several years after they graduated, some now addressed as professors, doctors and chiefs, many holding key positions in government. Some were also meeting for the first time since they graduated more than 50 years ago.

    Although, the award gala took place at the Institute of Surveyors’ Secretariat, Surveyors House, Enugu, the opening ceremony was held inside the main hall of the University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus.

    Declaring the event open, the new Deputy Vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof. Smart Uchegbu challenged surveyors and estate managers to help government find a solution to the frequent cases of building collapse in the country.

    He said that this collaboration and advice from experts had become necessary to save further loss of lives arising from collapsed buildings.

    Uchegbu, who took over from former DVC, Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, called on the alumni and corporate bodies in the country to support the institution, as government allocation was no longer sufficient to meet its needs and maintain its leading role in the nation’s education industry.

    He expressed with joy and sense of fulfilment that the surveying department that started in 1961 with only 12 students, now enjoys students’ enrolment of over 200.

    Uchegbu, who represented the VC UNN, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba on the occasion, noted that since inception, the department had made great strides in teaching, learning and research, which he said were the bedrock of the existence of the University, even as he re-assured that the university must continue to ensure that the young receive the best training in this highly competitive world.

    He said, “This is a reflection of the importance of this profession in national development, your products are today occupying prominent positions in many areas of human endeavour, both scientific and environmental spheres, in fact, I am informed that one of your products, Emeritus Professor Francis Fajemirokun, former deputy vice chancellor, University of Lagos, would deliver the keynote lecture on this occasion.

    “While rejoicing with you on this great gathering, and celebration of 55th anniversary of your alma mater, I invite you to savour the cool scenery of this campus, which I am sure, will bring back old memories of the time you were here as students”.

    The head of department of Geoinformatics and surveying, University of Nigeria, Enugu-campus, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, restated the determination of the institution to continue to maintain its pride of place in the comity of modern surveying training in the country, adding that being the first among the first generation universities to offer surveying, they had strived to main that position.

    Moka explained that in order to keep abreast with the global changing trend in the profession; the name of the department had been changed from department of surveying to department of surveying, Geodesy and Photogrammetry and now to the department of Geoinformatics and Surveying.

    “For us to remain relevant as a force, “he said, “we have tried to embrace every emerging technology in the field of study within the available resources; the university authority has been supportive, notwithstanding the dwindling allocations from the federal government”.

    The HOD disclosed that the Education Trust Fund (ETF)had come to their assistance at a point when the federal government attempted to designate the University of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in the study of surveying in the country.

    Moka, who graduated from UNN in 1982, also praised the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), the Nigerian Institution of Surveying, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra state branches and some alumni for supporting the department at different times.

    He said that due to the capital intensive nature of the programme, all the supports had not been able to meet the financial demands of running the department, pointing out that the National University Commission, NUC and SURCON accreditation exercises last year, had complained of some of the areas of deficiencies, even as the programme was not threatened by being de-accredited in any way whatsoever.

    At the award gala nite, some eminent surveyors, who have contributed to the growth of the profession were honoured, prominent among them were – Professor Emeritus Francis Fajemirokun, Prof. Francis Okeke, the dean, faculty of environmental studies UNEC, Mr. John Okoye, Quarshie-Doku from Ghana, Prof. Okpala Okaka, Dr. Elochukwu Moka, the HOD Geoinformatics and Surveying UNEC, Dr. Ndukwe Emmanuel Chiemelu, Mrs. Mary Bassey Okofu and Dr. Vitus Uzodinma of the University of Nigeria.

  • Collect Land Use Charge on income, Surveyors urge Lagos

    THE Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has asked the Lagos State government to stop charging Land Use Charge on capital gains but on income.

    The association said even in charging income, some incomes are allowable. The institution said these errors have gone unchecked because its members are not involved in the administration of landed matters in the state.

    The group noted that since Lagos has remained a pacesetter in all sectors of the economy, it should correct itself so that the practice will be replicated in other states of the country.

    At a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, the group’s   Chairman, Mr.  Offiong Sam Ukpong in the company of other executives of the body, stressed the need for the government to partner estate surveyors in on land administration.

    He said the nation’s land administration will continue to be in parlous state except there is policy direction in the right place.

    While calling for the establishment of the Office of Estate Surveyor–General, Ukpong said smaller countries such as Papa New Guinea and Ghana have come up with such policy that has seen the real sector grow in leaps and bounds.

    He said in Ghana, before a land transaction can be effectively concluded, a surveyor must sign to give legality to the transaction, lamenting that in Nigeria, surveyors are not involved in policy formulations and transactions. Furthermore he said his association should be allocated 100 hectares of land to build an estate that will exclusively be inhabited by surveyors to showcase professionalism in land matters and facility management of  buildings, plant and machinery.

    Agoro agreed that Land Use Charge should be on income and not on capital gain, promising that the government would review it soon. He promised to engage more surveyors, stressing that the state government is not unmindful of the strategic importance that estate surveyors and valuers occupy in any modern economy.

    He said in developed economies, the growth of the economy is measured by the robustness of the real estate sector and the state government is poised to benchmark on international best practices. He added that the state government plans to register  land and estate brokers, noting that government needs to identify those doing business with her in order to protect the public.

     

    The PS decried a situation where the innocent public is defrauded by those who purportedly act as interface between them and the government and stressed the preparedness of government to deal with any bad egg in her system and any member of the public who engages in fraudulent activities.

    He said: “If anybody or group henceforth wants to transact business with government relating to land, the person must submit himself to registration; we intend to curb the permissive illegalities we noted in the Bureau when we came in. We need to, as a matter of urgency, register all land and estate brokers so that when there is a dispute or misdemeanor we will readily know the culprit. As responsible government we owe it to every Lagosian to protect their lives and property.”

    According to him, government is working tirelessly to reposition the Bureau to meet modern demands of professionalism in landed matters and real estate business.

    On the proposed Surveyors Estate, he said the government will fulfil its promise by making land available for them to build the model estate but was non committal on the size of the land that will be given by government for the purpose.

  • Surveyors set agenda for industry

    Surveyors set agenda for industry

    The tone of activities in the construction and built environment in the year may have been set quite early as stakeholders and practitioners at the close of last year, put forth suggestions on how to reshape in the industry.

    The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveying (NIQS), at its 26th Biennial Conference  in Lagos,  called for efforts by professionals in various fields to reshape the quality of policies. In specific terms, the NIQS charged professionals, especially those in the built environment, to get actively involved in politics and decision- making in the country.

    Under the theme, “Politics, policies and national development – The role of professionals,” the immediate past president of the institute, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, said the choice of the theme was informed by the way professionals disregard the consequences of ignoring politics, leaving the fundamental aspects of their survival in the hands of persons with little or no capacity to handle such sensitive enterprise.

    The conference afforded built environment professionals, both at home and the international community, the opportunities to discuss issues relating to politics generally, policy formulation and implementation that could enhance national development. There were technical and panel discussion sessions on policy making and economy, accountable politics, effects of regulations on politics of service, the role of professionals, professional bodies and experiences in the construction industry in other countries, such as South Africa, Ghana and Kenya.

    According to Aliyu, professionals should be mobilised to take their deserved position in redefining the direction of the development of the country.

    “The economic challenges facing the country, especially the fall in the price of oil further put pressure on the dwindling income of the country demanding the attention of all expertise in managing the nation’s resources,” he said.

    A former president of the institute, Mr. John Alufohai, noted that professionals could bring about national development when they engage in politics.

    At the end of the event, it was also recommended that Professional Bodies should establish a functional research arm in form of think tank and the outcome of the research made public; to ensure accountability, a central body of professionals should be set up that will monitor and make those in government accountable. The central body is expected to develop frameworks that will make government more accountable to the populace; there should also be the establishment of cost data bank with adequate dissemination of information to all stakeholders.

    Furthermore, the body recommended the adoption of international construction measurement standards , stating that this  would enhance the activities of the industry since Nigeria is said to be next to China in construction activities; that professional bodies should use their expertise to make policies that are feasible.

    In terms of investment, the NIQS recommended that good governance should entail investment locally, while investing abroad should only be in terms of surplus. To this end, it urged government to not only attract foreign direct investment, but should also retain it.

    The conference was attended by a large number of professionals from the Nigerian Built Environment and delegates from South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia, including Nigerian students. Others include Senator Ahmad Abubarkar (Adamawa South Senatorial Zone and Honourable Biodun Olasupo Adeola (Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Compliance); the past and presidents of the Association of Africa Quantity Surveyors (AAQS), Mr. Michael Frimpong and Prof Rob Pearl and  President of Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy, Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko.