By: Oluwatosin Adesola
….moves to stop Lawyers from Estate management
…… NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF ESTATE SURVEYORS & VALUERS DECORATES GOV AKEREDOLU AS PATRON.
The President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Chief Emmanuel Okas Wike has demanded prosecution of professionals that compromised the integrity of the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos State, even as he called for reform in the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O).
Speaking at a news conference in Akure, the Ondo state capital, Chief Wike said that “civil servants that violated their code conduct in the building collapse that led to the death of over 49 persons should be made to face the wrath of the law.
He blamed most of the building collapse in the country on the compromised of standard by both professionals and officers of the Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning.
The President lamented “situation where lives and resources were lost each time there is building collapse in the country, saying some property owners deliberately engage quacks in order to cut corners while the officers of the Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning look the other way because of corruption.
He disclosed that the institution had secured a court order to prevent lawyers and quacks from practicing the profession of estate management.
Wike added that the Council would no longer tolerate a situation where those who did not have the requisite qualifications practice.
The council, according to him had visited Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and advocated the creation of office of the Office of Valuer-General like its other professional counterparts including Surveyor-General, Accountant- General, Solicitor-General, and Auditor-General.
”The creation of Valuer-General office would enhance the contribution of the profession to the development of the state in as much as it has a common goal, which is, to have a well governed state, where democratic governance delivers to the need of its people.
He bemoaned the delay in the processing of Certificate of Occupancy and other vital documents and urged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and other governors to make issuance of the documents more easier..
“Delay in processing of vital documents such as Certificate of Occupancy and Governor’s Letter of Consent is not unconnected to shortage of staff in the processing offices.
”These documents are required by financial institutions for approval of loan to finance housing and developmental projects, which in turn could earn the government more income.
“We made an appeal for full professionalization of the Land department, with Registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers heading every unit. This would ensure and improve the efficiency of the department.
“We appealed for the constitution of the Land Use and Allocation Committee with Estate Surveyors and Valuers taking prominent positions.
“It is on record that in 2008 the establishment of Valuation and Rating Department under the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was approved by the then Executive Governor.
He added that ”We appealed to Mr. Governor to consider the establishment of the department in all the Local Government areas, with Estate Surveyors and Valuers taking charge for the simple reason that the establishment would boost the revenue of the Local Governments.”
NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF ESTATE SURVEYORS & VALUERS DECORATES GOV AKEREDOLU AS PATRON
• Says Gov Akeredolu Has Made Ondo Investor-Friendly
• “We Are Making The State Accessible In A Secured Way” – Gov Akeredolu
The National Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has decorated the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as the Patron of the professional body.
The President and Chairman of the Council, Sir. Emmanuel Okas Wike, decorated the Governor at a well attended event held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Wike disclosed that the council and the entire members of the body approved the decoration of the Governor as its Patron in recognition of his giant developmental strides aimed at taking the Sunshine state to the next level.
He noted that Governor Akeredolu has made the state an investment destination and stressed that the efforts of the Governor at combating the security challenges facing the state are commendable.
“That progress is being made in all fronts, in spite of the multiple challenges which heralded your assumption of office in 2017, your re-election last year, and the recently concluded legal tussle which ensued is not an overstatement.
“You have continued to showcase good governance through your developmental initiatives initially anchored on JMPPR; Job creation through Agriculture, Entrepreneurship and Industrialization, Massive Infrastructural Development and Maintenance, Promotion of Functional Education and Technological Growth, Provision of Accessible and Quality Health Care and Social Service Delivery, Rural Develcpment and Community Extension Services and the recently unveiled economic policy for your second term in office tagged “REDEEMED,” representing “(R) Rural and agricultural development, (E) Educational advancement and human capital development, (D) Development through massive infrastructure, (E} Efficient service delivery, development and policy implementation, (E) Effective healthcare and social welfare services, (M) Maintenance of law and order for adequate security, (E) Energy, mining and sustainable industries, (D) Digital revolution and entrepreneurship,” he said.
The NIESV President said the Governor’s leadership in reforming policies have strengthened the economy of the state, adding that it has also enabled the Governor to deliver quality services and further improve the investment climate.
“With the solid and meaningful reforms, sound policies and institutions you have put in place, private investors will stay, sound investments and social Inclusion will grow.
“Consequently, ending poverty and sharing prosperity will be your legacy and part of our shared future. On this note, therefore, we all have a common goal, that is, to have a great nation, where democratic governance delivers to the need of its people,” The NIESV President said.
Responding, Governor Akeredolu said his administration is making the state more accessible in a secured way, adding that there are three airways flying different routes from Akure Lagos and Abuja.
He said: “I do not deny the fact of the nobility and accountability your members offer the people. A number of them are in the employment of the Ondo state service. I will look into the suggestion of creating the office of Valuer General. We will work on it.”
Governor Akeredolu appreciated the Professional body, assuring that he will not disappoint the people.
