We will tackle quackery, says NIESV Chair, Obot Akpan •••Seeks govt patronage

ESV Obot Akpan, Chairman

Rhoda Jeremiah

The Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Akwa Ibom State Branch has expressed its readiness to stem the tide of quackery through proper advocacy on the gains of partnering with professionals in the State.

The professional body has also tasked government and prospective clients to always engage the services of professional Estate Surveyors and Valuers for efficiency, speed and quality project delivery in Akwa Ibom State.

The disclosure was made by the State Branch Chairman, ESV Obot Akpan  while fielding questions from The Eyes Newspaper at the Thanksgiving Service organised by the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Good Shepherd Assembly, 61 Itu road, Uyo last Sunday.

ESV Akpan averred that on some projects, professional standards are sometime neglected  in the state because the owners intend to cut  cost. He however maintained that his administration will be intentional on creating the needed awareness on following global best practices in planning and executing projects

"Looking at the happenings in Akwa Ibom State and even the nation, professional operations are not given due attention perhaps for reasons of reducing costs in the era of economic crunch. Our attention is to deliberately make vocal and obvious the roles, the benefits that government and individuals will gain in partnering with Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Akwa Ibom State." 

" Our intention is to deliberately make vocal and loud our roles and actions. When you have plenty access to these services, quackery will certainly go down. With effective advocacy programmes, it will be clear to make bold and obvious the roles of Estate Surveyors and Valuers." He stated.

He mentioned that Akwa Ibom State stands to benefit more if the government pays attention to the advocacy programmes as they will be able to identify quacks.

On how to identify a professional Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the State, the Akwa Ibom Branch Chairman advised prospective clients to always inquire for the person's professional certifications, noting that it will be easy to trace and recover losses whenever such occurred.

" When you are dealing with people that are certified, it will be easy to trace and recover losses if you make appropriate reporting to the regulatory body. Government can help curb quackery by engaging experts. When government engages professionals, the public will also know and  recognise them. When government gives the right roles to the right persons it will be obvious."

"Recently, Engineers have come up to say that they can do valuations, lawyer come up to say they can manage properties and also sell. They are not trained for that. As a matter of fact, it is only Estate Surveyors and Valuers that have the statutory mandate to carry out valuations of any sort." He explained.

He however admonished the State government, organisations  and prospective clients to partner professional Estate Surveyors and Valuers for efficiency, reduction in  cost, speed and quality delivery of projects in Akwa Ibom State.