By Jude Njoku

A total of 109 newly registered estate surveyors and valuers were last week in Lagos, inducted into the “noble profession” thus swelling the number of fully registered estate surveyors and valuers in the country to 2, 791.

But the figure is a far-cry from being adequate, according to the Chairman of Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria , ESVARBON, Mr. Ayodele Sangosanya.

Against this backdrop, Mr Sangosanya said ESVARBON and the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, have begun to work out modalities to increase the number of qualified estate surveyors in the country without lowering standards. Sangosanya hinted that a new entry avenue may be created for those intending to become registered surveyors.

Admonishing the new members to abide by the ethics and ethos of the profession, the ESVARBON boss stated that integrity which is the hallmark of success of every professional should be jealously protected with the fear of God.

He canvassed the bridging of the gap between principal partners and trainee estate surveyors, he enjoined the principals who have responsibility for training and developing the younger ones to come closer to them to enable them gainer useful tips. Similarly, he advised young estate surveyors to be patient to learn the rope before rushing into practice.

On the nefarious activities of quacks, Mr. Sangosanya said the Board is poised to reduce their activities by registering more qualified members.

“The Board has put requisite machinery in place, in collaboration with the relevant law enforcement agencies to check the spread of pseudo practice and bring to book, culprits found guilty of the offence,” he said, adding that the Board has already instituted actions in courts against quacks who failed to heed previous warnings.

The ESVARBON chairman told the inductees that the stamps, seals and certificate given to them are the properties of the board and it (board) reserves the right to withdraw them at any time, if abused.

Also addressing the inductees, a former President of NIESV, Elder William Odudu warned them not to go into practice partnership with anybody who is not an estate surveyor and valuer.

Other rules he reeled out to them include: *You must not buy the property of your client without expressly disclosing to your client in advance your intention to do so, and without securing the approval of your client.

*Your fees must be in accordance with the scale of charges/fees approved by the Institution, subject to review from time to time

*You must not act for two parties in a transaction without disclosing to all parties concerned the relevant facts of the transaction that may affect their interests

*You must keep your personal account separate from the firm’s account and under no circumstance shall your clients’ money be paid into your personal account.

Odudu who is currently the Director-General of NIESV Learning Centre, warned the new surveyors not to set up a private practice under a pseudonym or as under the protection of limited liability company.

QSRBN set to induct 289 quantity surveyors, 38 practice firms

In a related development, the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, QSRBN, will on Thursday next week, induct 289 newly registered quantity surveyors into the cost engineering profession.

A statement by QSRBN Registrar, Mr Godson Moneke explained that 38 practising firms would also be inducted at the ceremony slated for the Executive Hall, International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The highpoint of the induction would be a public lecture on Ethics, Values, Competence and Integrity: The hallmark in professional excellence to be delivered by then Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Emeka Eze, a past president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE.