10th December, 2021
By Gift George
The Nigeria Association of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has inducted 637 new members, tasking them on character and the acquisition of knowledge.
Association President Emmanuel Wike, who conducted the induction on Thursday in Abuja, called on the inductees to show character which, he pointed out, would sustain them in the profession.
He also urged them to strive to get more knowledge.
The theme of the induction which is the first in 52 years is “The Making of the Estate Surveyor and Valuer: Ethical Principles and Practice Standard“.
“We are bringing in 637 professionals who we can actually vouch for; these are people that have done their professional qualification examinations, internship, critical analysis and have also appeared before the membership committee of the council.
“We have found them worthy both in character and also in practice for us to admit them into the professional level.
“There is no way we can dissociate the fact that there are bad eggs within but if they are found they would be prosecuted and that would send a signal to other professionals to take responsibility,” he said.
Wike said that the inductees were given the right frame of work and professional ethics at the foundational level which would enable them to grow in the profession.
Speaking on the high rate of scammers in the sector, Wike urged members to abide by professional ethics, as well as rules and regulations set by the institution and the registration board.
“One of it is that you must have separate accounts for your clients, your personal or your partnership accounts should not be lumped together.
“Secondly, you must obey government rules and regulations that regulate the practice, such as the EFCC Act and the money laundry Act; these are the things that we are telling them to obey,” he said.
Wike noted that the association had an internal mechanism, which is the disciplinary arm that handles issues relating to errant members.
On the issue of building collapse, the NIESV president stated that the problem arose as a result of lack of trust and competence.
According to him, owners of most buildings which collapsed did not engage qualified professionals, noting that many of such buildings collapsed because unprofessionals were engaged.
“Professionals who are involved in acts contrary to the law should be prosecuted and punished; if found wanting, the person should be reprimanded or deregistered from the professional body and that will make people to take responsibility,” he said.
He urged that for every professional that participated in any project, they should have indemnity insurance.
“If anything happens, the insurance company should be able to indemnify those people that are affected,“ he said.
Wike commended the Lagos State Government for setting up a tribunal or a panel to investigate the cause of building collapse in the state.
He suggested that such panel should also be set up at the national level.