Minister charges new estate surveyors on ethics, professionalism

The newly inducted estate surveyors and valuers have been enjoined to eschew all tendencies capable of undermining the professional ethics in the overall interest of the people and country at large.

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Babatunde Fashola and Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) gave the charge at the 46th induction ceremony of newly registered estate surveyors and valuers, last week, in Abuja.

Fashola, who was represented by Mustapha Sherif Umar, urged the new members to uphold professionalism and be good ambassadors of the profession anywhere they find themselves.

He commended the leadership of the Board for its doggedness and commitment towards raising the bar of excellence of realtors in the country and urged it not to let down its guard in regulating the industry.

While noting that professionalism was the way to go, he urged all newly inducted estate surveyors and valuers to at all times be wary of engaging in any act that can impugn on the integrity of the profession and professionalism in the country.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Board, Gersh Henshaw, called on the inductees not to compromise standard in discharge of their duties, adding that the instruments of practice such as stamps and seal handed over to them were given to hold in trust for the board.

Henshaw said: ” Since I assumed the mantle of leadership of the board, 5,055 persons have been registered. With two induction ceremonies, we have increased the number to 5,651. This epoch making occasions will add 648 persons to the register in the first time since the establishment of the board in 1975 that the board has Inducted the highest number of newly registered persons in one induction ceremony.

“As we hand over to you the instruments of practice, which are our stamps and seal, please, be reminded that the instruments are given to you to hold in trust for the Board. They remain properties of the Board and could be withdrawn from you if you practice contrary to prescribed rules and regulations.

“We are in a dynamic world with fast changing technology and ways of doing things. I, therefore, urge you to embrace continuing professional development. Continuing professional development is key to your relevance in practice.

“The Board has even made attainment of a minimum of 20 credit hours of participation in approved mandatory continuing professional development programme a condition and precedent to yearly renewal of practicing license.”

While admonishing the inductees, Adebiyi Adesanya, who tasked the inductees on integrity and ethics of the profession, urged them not to fall into temptation that would make them compromise the standard.

He also advised them against diverting or investing client’s funds into personal businesses no matter the challenges.

Adesanya also cautioned the new estate surveyors against ostentatious lifestyles that would jeopardise their careers.

He cautioned them against the temptation of mismanaging client’s funds. “As estate surveyors and valuers, we are open to the temptation of mismanaging client’s funds and some of us have done so to their peril and disgrace. You must avoid this avoidable trap.

He encouraged them to have mentors. “In every profession, there are seniors ahead of you who are to help you take the most appropriate steps in your professional development towards the realisation of your dreams. This is what necessitates you having a mentor so that you can maximise your potential and make a meaningful impact in the overall interest of the profession.