Professionals, under the aegis of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos branch, yesterday, advised the government to initiate reforms and policies that could lower building development costs and reduce high rents in Nigeria’s cities.

Chairman of the branch, Tosin Kadiri, who spoke with journalists ahead of the chapter’s estate week in Lagos, said that a major way to address the rent hike is not through control laws, but by creating an enabling environment for developers.

Kadiri said that part of the activities by the practitioners aimed at impacting society include charity donations to an orphanage home, mentorship/training for students of Lagos State University of Science and Technology, sports competitions, and others.

Kadiri also stated that the government should ensure that the cost of housing financing is drastically reduced for developers, construction industry participants, and end-users seeking mortgage loans to buy property.

He, however, said that the chapter had started training and mentoring younger professionals to channel their interests into the profession, noting that by training new members, it would be possible to have enough professionals to serve the public and meet the demand for professional expertise in society.

The chairman, who reiterated the importance of engaging only qualified valuers for all property transactions, pledged to continue upholding the integrity of the real estate and valuation profession.

Also, Vice Chairman of the Lagos branch, Ayodeji Odeleye, said the chapter had established a working relationship with the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), a sister body, in ensuring that the practitioners are well educated and trained by exposing them to industry standards and enhancing collaboration to end the activities of quacks and have a safer environment.