Estate surveyors blame government for Abuja, Lagos failures

City management, rent and housing dominated the discussion during the 46th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers held in Abuja recently. The Surveyors lamented that professional advice from them on city planning and management were largely ignored by the authorities. This is responsible for the chaotic situation and the problems […]

City management, rent and housing dominated the discussion during the 46th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers held in Abuja recently.
The Surveyors lamented that professional advice from them on city planning and management were largely ignored by the authorities.
This is responsible for the chaotic situation and the problems experience in Abuja as well as other major cities across the country, they said.
Despite this challenge, the Surveyors said they would continue to offer their professional advice with a view to proffering solutions to the challenge of city management and urban sustainability.
In his address, the NIESV President Oloregun James Omeru said the annual conference was used to evaluate the contribution of estate surveyors and values to nation building and re-energize them for greater contribution.
He said the theme of the conference, “City growth: issues and challenges of urban sustainability in Nigeria was chosen not only because the city is the environment within which Surveyors operate but because they are professionals with relevant skills which guide policies for shaping the city.
“What we are witnessing in Abuja today was the result of ignoring professionals’ advice,” he said adding that Abuja was conceptualized to be a model city in contrast with what was obtained in Lagos.
He lamented that what was happening now was not in line with the original concept of Abuja due to some challenges especially sustainability.