By Caleb Ayansina

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV has called for the mandatory issuance of evaluation certificate to public office holders who declare their assets. This measure, according to the land professionals, will check fraudulent assets declarations. The President of NIESV, Olorogun James Omeru alleged that it had become a common trend among public officials to indulge in anticipatory assets declaration. According to him, some public officers declare their assets in anticipation of what they would get at the end of their tenure.

Olorogun, who made the call in Abuja, said the institution would like to partner with the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption and entrench transparency in governance. He insisted that assets declaration without a valuation certificate amounts to not being seriousness in the fight against corruption.

“We note specially that the election promise of the incoming government dealt squarely with corruption among public servants in this country. Much of the proceeds of corruption by public officers are invested in landed property assets and it is a constitutional responsibility of all public servants or officers to declare their assets before and after occupying an office.

“We contend that to give credibility to the process, Valuation Report/Certificate must accompany the asset declaration form. The valuation report will indicate clearly, the type and nature of asset, the location (with photographs) and value. This will discourage false and anticipatory declaration.

The NIEVS boss complained that they had approached the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB on the matter on several occasions but the CCB refused to give attention to their submission. “We made representations to Code of Conduct Bureau on a number of occasions but because the system is not serious about fighting corruption, they have refused to respond positively. It is our hope that the new government will be more transparent,” he said.

On land reforms, the estate surveyors maintained they have the capacity to partner with the government, if given the chance to address problem associated with land reform and titling.