By Owoleye Oluwakayode
The National President, Nigerian Instistitution of Estate Surveyor and Valuers (NIESV) , ESV. Sir (Chief) Emmanuel Okas Wike, PNIVS has led his team to the Ministry of Works and Housing to have a strategic discussion with the Hon. Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
At the meeting, the president of the noble Institution first thanked the Minister for accommodating the National Council despite the impromptu notice and his usual busy schedule.
The President also took time to reel out the momentous achievements the Minister recorded in the areas of Land and Housing, Power and general infrastructural development during his time as the executive governor of Lagos State – which according to the president, earned him a National appointment in the present dispensation.
The president, ESV. Emmanuel Okas Wike, further appreciated the purposeful leadership of the Hon. Minister and his resolve to pursuing and implementing Global Best Practises in the Housing and Power sectors. The president, also expressed his gratitude to the Minister for fostering a good working relationship with the Institution. He advocated for an improvement on this relationship, with a view to establishing a formidable partnership that will put Nigeria on a pedestal of social growth and global recognition.
The president, in his remarks, expressed great concerns about the shortcomings in the housing sector and charged the Hon. Minister to look into the monthly rent payment system. The president, who on behalf of the National Council, addressed the Minister on this, suggested a policy realignment that will implement, standardise and sustain the annual rent system – as he claims is more beneficial to the economy, the government and the masses. Citing the unavailability of efficient Private-Public Partnership on Mortgaging in Nigeria, the President once again reiterated the Institution’s stance and suggested that the annual rent payment system will serve the best good for all parties.
Similarly, Mr President raised the need for the creation of the Office of Valuer-General and sought the support of the Hon. Minister in this regard.
The Minister appreciated the effort and the initiative of the Institution concerning some of the pressing issues. He also assured the Institution of his willingness to strengthen the partnership between the Ministry and the Institution, to proffer lasting solutions to some of the prevailing issues. To prove this, the Minister personally handed over his call card to the President and expressed his willingness to follow Professional advice in pursuance of an improvement in the housing sector. as he maintained was the mandate given to him by the President when he was appointed as Minister.
On the issue of Land Use Act, the Minster pointed out the major reasons that brought about the Act in the first place, and was of the view that nothing was wrong with the Act but defects in its administration and that if the way it’s been operated can be amended then it will ameliorate most of the issues often raised.
He also encouraged the Institution on the need for her to take the lead and always be an authority in the industry so that whenever they issue a press statement on relevant issues, as it concerns Real Estate and Housing, it will be a final position.
Among other matters that the President brought to the table for the Hon. Minister’s consideration, were the issues of a review of the Decree that established our Board which requires serious reconsideration with the present age, and also, to provide measures to forestall and prevent quacks from acting as professionals to the unsuspecting populace.
The minister urged the institution to document and officially forward to the ministry, all the deliberations and suggestions on policy development and strategic planning. Adding that the ministry will follow it to the latter.