FG SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH ESTATE SURVEYORS TO BOOST REAL ESTATE SECTOR The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, (GCON), has called on the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIES) to consider ways to partner with government at all levels to optimize benefits in the real estate sector for the benefit of the nation. Represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu (FNSE), the Vice President, made the call while delivering his key note address at the 51st Golden Jubilee, Annual Conference of the Institute which took place at the International Conference Centre Abuja on Thursday June 24, 2021. Osinbanjo listed potential areas of partnership to include: the Buhari led administration’s vision to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years since government is looking up to investment in infrastructure as a tool to realizing this vision. He mentioned the National Social Housing Programme which is a component of the national post –COVID Economic Sustainability Plan as another area of partnership. The Vice President explained that the plan was created to accelerate on-going efforts by the government to improve access to social housing. He added that government intended to stimulate local production by engaging small and medium sized construction firms to produce construction inputs such as tiles, nails, doors, windows and paint as well as building affordable houses across the country. Professor Osinbanjo who disclosed that the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) was created to develop the secondary market to refinance mortgages asked NIESV to undertake advocacy with stakeholders both in the public and private sector to promote legislation that will provide support for the company. The Vice President enumerated the achievements of this administration in infrastructure development to include: the commencement of the 156Km Lagos –Ibadan rail service, completion and commissioning of 327 km Itakpe – Warri Standard Gauge Rail after 33 years of abandonment by previous administrations, construction of Kano -Maradi railway, commencement of work on Port-Harcourt Maiduguri railway lines, on-going negotiation on the Ibadan – Kano Standard Gauge Rail projects and the Abuja Light Rail project which was completed in 2018. On roads, he said the government created the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), investing over a billion dollars in three flagship projects: the Lagos Ibadan expressway, Second Niger Bridge and the Abuja –Kaduna roads. In his speech, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing who was represented on the occasion by the Director Special Projects Unit of the Ministry, Dr. Aisha Ndayako Mohammed revealed that conscious efforts have been made with respect to accessibility, affordability and security of land tittles. Fashola disclosed that between July 2018 and May 2021, the Ministry of Works and Housing had processed and issued 4,628 Certificates of Occupancy and 2,230 consents to secondary land transactions, adding that these titles are used by holders to access investible loans to start new businesses or grow existing ones thereby expanding the economy. Fashola also disclosed that the Ministry is engaging Estate Surveyors and Valuers in implementing the valuation of Federal Government assets for purposes of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS). In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Sir Emmanuel Okas Wike said the Institute had positively and progressively impacted the Nigerian Landscape with several achievements and contributions. Sir Wike said the conference would provide opportunities for networking, expansion, deepening of knowledge and professional development. Goodwill messages were delivered by the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu among others. ...

Nmiru Bridge: Council Of Ohafia Monarchs, Leaders Of Thought Commend FG The Council of Ohafia Monarchs and Leaders of Thought have commended the Federal Government for expeditiously responding to their “save our souls” appeal over the state of Nmuri Bridge in Abia State, noting that their experience has shown that the President Buhari led administration is responsive to the yearnings of citizens irrespective of tribe, region and religion. The delegation led by Chief Etigwe Uwa, SAN gave the commendation during a courtesy visit on the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN in Abuja. Chief Etigwe Uwa thanked the Minister on behalf of the good people of Ohafia in Abia state for the quick response of the Minister in fixing the dilapidated old bridge. He said: “I contacted the Honourable Minister on 30th January, 2021 and when I passed through that same bridge on 8th of February, 2021, work has already started.” “This has demonstrated that the government listen to the cry of the people. It is a clear testimony that we as a community cried to government and government has listened to us. We are very grateful as a community.” Continuing, he said that the Ministry's prompt response to the deplorable condition of the bridge had demonstrated that the President Buhari led administration was responsive to the cry of Nigerians irrespective of tribe, region and religion. “We are here today to confirm that things can work and are working in this present dispensation,” he said. He called on the Federal Government to also expedite action to facilitate the completion of the construction of the Federal Road linking Ohafia, Bende and Umuahia which the Nmuri bridge is part of. Also while reading a letter of appreciation, His Royal Highness, Elder Emmanuel Onugu on behalf of the people of Ohafia in Abia state thanked the Honourable Minister for the timely intervention in the repair and the construction of a modern brand-new bridge over Nmuri River at Ebem Ohafia. Continuing, he said that the temporary work done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had provided succour to the people of that area who had long experienced hardship on account of the deplorable condition of the bridge which had almost become a death trap. In his response, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that the completion of the abandoned Nmiru Bridge in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria will bring succour to the road users in that area. The reconstructed Nmuri bridge links Ohafia and Umuahia the Abia State capital. According to Fashola the Ohafia bridge was one of the 37 bridges and over 800 projects that the Ministry was repairing, restoring, rehabilitating and constructing across Nigeria, pointing out that some of the bridges had been abandoned for the past five to six decades. He noted that the Nmuri Bridge was among those receiving attention. already. He also stated that the Ministry through the intervention on those roads and bridges across the country had further demonstrated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a party has an ideology contrary to some opinions. “The APC led government is governed by progressive ideology which is progressivism, which simply means that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improve human condition through investment in many pillars such as agriculture, mining and in particular, infrastructure expansion, repair and development,” he said. Other members of the delegation from Ohafia included His Royal Highness, Kalu Ikenga, Chief Awa Kalu, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, Mr. Kalu Okpo Kalu, Mr. Sunny Mbila, Architect Lucas Eme, Mr. Sunday Idika, Ogbonna Kalu, Dr. Eni Kalu and Mr. Charles Nkata. The Permanent Secretary, Babaginda Hussein and some Directors of the Ministry joined the Honourable Minister to receive the delegation.     ...

Fashola Implores Estate Surveyors to Explore Technology, Innovation in their Profession Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola, SAN has urged the Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the Country to explore modern technology and innovation in the practice of their profession. He said " As newly inducted Estate Surveyors and Valuers, I implore you to explore modern technology and innovation in enhancing professionalism and good service delivery in your day to day tasks". The Minister spoke in Abuja as a special Guest of Honour at the 44th Induction Ceremony of newly registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Thursday June 17, 2021. Fashola was represented by the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE. The Minister described the induction of the new members to fully practice Estate Surveying and Valuation in the country, as timely, especially this critical time that the infrastructures in Nigeria are undergoing re-engineering and rehabilitation. " Your responsibilities have now been increased as the thrust of Government is about infrastructures, which requires professionals like you to help drive her interest and safeguard wastage" he said. Fashola also charged them to look at the potentialities and contributions their Profession can unlock in this dare time that the nation's infrastructures and national assets are experiencing deficit. While commending the ESV Board for giant stride in uplifting the profession in terms of capacity building, Fashola also noted  the critical role the Board is playing in regulating and controlling the practice of the profession in Nigeria. He listed: securing the establishment and maintenance of Register of persons qualified to practice the profession and publication of lists of such persons and firms, has greatly enhances professionalism in the practice. On the same vein, Fashola noted that the Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration. etc) Act (CAP. E13 LFN2004 enpowers the Board to provide operation license for institutions that meets specific minimum standards, explaining that, the Board has so far  registered up to 4,000 practitioners, 4,000 firms and accredited about 35 institutions of higher learning. He charged the BOARD to ensure that the stock of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is increased to meet the needs of the Nation. On the challenges, Fashola said " the challenges are extremely large especially in the areas of legislation, little recognition by the public, invasion of the industry by unlicensed and unprofessionals amongst others". Accordingly, he assured that, the Ministry of Works and Housing is doing all it can by creating enabling environment where Estate Surveyors and Valuers can strive and make impact to support the Nigerian economy. The Minister disclosed that many Estate Surveyors and Valuers have submitted expression of interest to execute the Ministry's valuation works in all Federal Secretariats across the country, which he said is already going through the procurement processes. He explained that the Ministry is presently desirous with the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) meant to achieve resource utilization and management of assets for decision making. Accordingly, Fashola challenged them not to rest on their little achievements but to continue to strive towards loftier goals by making Nigeria a better place for economic growth ...