The Nigeria Association of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has inducted 637 professional members, tasked with character development and knowledge acquisition.
Association President Emmanuel Wike, who presided over the induction ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, urged the inductees to demonstrate character, which he said would help them stay in the profession.
He also encouraged them to seek out more information.
The theme of the first induction in 52 years is “The Making of the Estate Surveyor and Valuer: Ethical Principles and Practice Standard.”
“We are bringing in 637 professionals we can vouch for; these are people who have completed their professional qualification examinations, internships, critical analysis, and have also appeared before the council’s membership committee.”
“We found them to be worthy both in character and in practice, and we have admitted them to the professional level.”
“There is no way we can deny that there are bad apples within, but if they are found, they will be prosecuted, and that will send a signal to other professionals to take responsibility,” he said.
Wike stated that the inductees were provided with the proper work environment and professional ethics at the foundational level, allowing them to advance in the profession.
Speaking about the high number of scammers in the industry, Wike urged members to follow professional ethics as well as the institution’s and the registration board’s rules and regulations.
“One of them is that you must have separate accounts for your clients; your personal or partnership accounts should not be combined.”
“Secondly, you must follow government rules and regulations that govern the practice, such as the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering Act; these are the things we are telling them to follow,” he said.
Wike mentioned that the organization has an internal mechanism, which is the disciplinary arm that deals with issues involving errant members.
Concerning the building collapse, the NIESV president stated that it was caused by a lack of trust and competence.
According to him, the owners of the majority of the buildings that collapsed did not hire qualified professionals, and many of these buildings collapsed because unprofessionals were engaged.
“Professionals who engage in illegal acts should be prosecuted and punished; if found wanting, the person should be reprimanded or deregistered from the professional body, and that will make people take responsibility,” he said.
He argued that every professional who worked on a project should have indemnity insurance.
“If something happens, the insurance company should be able to compensate those who are affected,” he said.
Wike praised the Lagos State Government for establishing a tribunal or panel to investigate the causes of building collapses in the state.
He proposed that a similar panel be established at the national level as well.
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