Estate surveyors mull vibrant mortgage system, technology, others

Estate surveyors have harped on the need for a vibrant mortgage system, partnerships and the adoption of technology in real estate sector.

The surveyors made this submission at the 50th anniversary symposium of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Lagos State Branch.

A former Chairman of the branch and former President of the institute, Oghenakpobo Idudu, urged the government to establish and maintain a vibrant mortgage system in the economy.

Idudu lamented that this was necessary as funding remained the biggest challenge of people desiring decent homes and seeking services of estate surveyors and valuers.

According to him, many people cannot buy housing because they have no means and there is no vibrant mortgage industry, adding that if there is political will, they would have been able to push this forward and make housing cheaper and more accessible.

He charged the branch members to focus on making their services cheaper, so the poor could access their professional input in the housing sector.

Earlier, the President of NIESV, Emmanuel Wike, represented by the first Vice President, Johnbull Ameyeavbo, called on members to continue to defend the profession by building core competencies against onslaughts of quacks and other professions attempting to hijack the jobs of real estate surveyors and valuers.

The Chairman of the Branch, Adedotun Bamigbola in his welcome speech, cited the challenges facing the profession in the next 50 years to include maintaining international ethical standards, research, proptech and infractions in the sector in various areas of practice.

Bamigbola highlighted on the need for ESVs, particularly those practicing in Lagos State, to take charge and make the necessary professional impact on the state and the society at large through value addition.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Housing, Ayodeji Amodu, commended the institute on its sustained relevance in the real estate and property sector, adding that the symposium’s theme, ‘We build cities: NIESV Lagos and Real Estate-1970 – 2020’ was apt and aligned with the vision of his administration.

Amodu said that the governor appreciated the branch for their contribution, which aligns with the agenda to build a Lagos that compared with modern city states in terms of planned built environment with affordable and decent housing, which could not be singularly achieved by the government.

He urged the association to continue adding value to policy making for implementation process in the sector as well as educating members on the need to be law abiding and discharging their civic duties.