Estate surveyors advocate Executive Order 11 implementation

• Induct 547, task new members on ethics

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has expressed concern over the dilapidating state of public buildings and called for the implementation of Executive Order 11 across the country.

NIESV President, Johnbull Amayaevbo, who made the call at the National Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Seminar 2022 tagged: ‘Management and Maintenance of Public Assets for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Executive Order 11’ in Abuja, said that if maintenance culture is institutionalised, buildings would retain their economic life, lower depreciation cost, higher productivity and profitability.

Amayaevbo said proper maintenance would ensure lower expenditure on replacement and would allow more expenditure or funds for incursion into new productive ventures and investments.

Amayaevbo stated that NIESV places a premium on the capacity building of members, which has increased in recent years with the creation of professional associations for its practice areas and competencies. Currently, NIESV has 14 professional associations training members in their areas of specialisation.

“This has greatly improved the quality of services rendered by members. It is not surprising that we are adjudged to be the leading professionals in valuation and real estate services in the continent of Africa,” he added.

He noted that the seminar will further equip, and enhance the skills and competencies of the members in their quest to be relevant at all times in the present dynamic world, particularly in the area of assets management.

Earlier, the Chairman, of National MCPD, Dr. Emmanuel Mark, noted that public infrastructure assets are the foundation of a country’s economic development and maintaining, such assets will ensure they are in good condition.

He stated that neglected infrastructure, results in the degradation of the assets with negative effects on the economy, leading to greater costs of reconstruction over time.

Mark explained that Executive Order 11 gives legal backing to the country’s national maintenance policy and the policy was signed into law to ensure implementation and impact of the policy on the economy.

In a lead presentation, Tina Onokwai, observed that the reasons for giving priority to maintenance are to preserve the value of the assets and achieve the purpose for which it was built, such as increasing efficiency of infrastructure investments, reduction in the repairs for future generation, reduction in negative externalities associated to insufficient maintenance and ensure return on investment.

MEANWHILE, the institution has inducted 547 new members into its fold with a charge to abide by the code of ethics and acquaint themselves with current developments in the industry.

It said about 18,000 registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers are currently practising in the country.

Speaking at the induction ceremony in Abuja, Amayaevbo said that one of the hallmarks of professionalism, especially in the estate surveying and valuation profession is training and retraining.

Amayaevbo said: “Full loyalty to the Institution is a major part of your obligation. Strict adherence to professional ethics and conduct is also required of you, as your actions and conduct will affect the entire membership, positively or negatively. I urge you to abide by the rules and regulations of the institution as contained in our constitution and code of ethics.”

He urged the inductees to be excellent ambassadors of the institution, with an obligation to pursue and actualise the vision, aims and objectives of the profession.

He noted that the NIESV has remained resolute and uncompromising in pursuant to the welfare of members and will continue to explore creative initiatives and alternatives to achieve this very important goal.

In his keynote speech, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Dean, School of Eloquence, Ubong Essien, charged newly inductees to be committed to very high standards in terms of the goals they set for themselves and meeting up with best practices.

He urged the need to distinguish themselves from quacks and uphold the code of ethics and standards, as well as be result-oriented.