PROPERTY NEWS

AMIDST developmental efforts currently undertaken by the Lagos State Government to rid the metropolis of crises that often attend management of land, the state at the weekend called on members of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) to shore up in its responsibility of preventing quackery within the profession.

The state, which gave it to the land surveyors that they are pivotal to the developmental processes as far as land issues are concerned, however, regretted that despite the rising cases of illegal deals, NIS has not been able to bring any such matter to book.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos Land Bureau, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa, spoke at the institution's Lagos' branch 2009 yearly General Meeting (AGM), which was held at the ground floor of NIS' new secretariat, Central Business District (CBD), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

"However, my address will not be completed without mentioning the activities of some surveyors who connive with land owners to encourage illegal sale of government land throughout the state. There are many instances where some land surveyors have deliberately altered survey co-ordinates at the instance of clients. Unfortunately, the state government is not aware of the occasion that your institution had brought such errant land surveyors to book," Ashafa bemoaned.

Besides, new executives members, who would serve the body for the next two years were also inaugurated. Mr. Afolabi Solesi, a fellow of the institution, is now the new chairman of NIS.

Giving account of his stewardship, the immediate past chairman, Mr. Sunday Saidi, said that his regime re-branded the body through emphasis on members' dressings to public functions, reviewed the constitution and touched practice policy, which led to reviewing cadastral survey. According to him, this enhanced the profession and in turn surveyors' image.

On the yet to be completed secretariat, Saidi said: "We promised to complete our secretariat within the life of this administration. I think we almost achieved the goal. We took off from the first slab. Today, we have added three more slabs, the open gallery and roofed. The block walls completed, the ground floor put into tenantable use since January."

The former chairman urged the new executives to engage reputable firm of estate surveyors to manage the choice property when completed.

Ashafa, who noted the effects of global economic recession and global warming on the world, asked the land professionals, what their roles and contributions would be to ensure the nation's continued existence and posterity?

Speaking on the state's land reform policy, Ashafa said: " The vision of Lands Bureau ... is optimum utilisation of land resources to achieve even development of the state." He added: "Land surveyor is in any doubt pivotal to achievement of the dreams of the state since all developmental processes begin with surveying. In fact, the state will require much more from your profession at this time."

He continued: "You are no doubt aware, that the state government is in the process of automating land relating services such as issuance of certificate of occupancy, grant of Governor's consent and regularisation of land holdings in the state. Land surveyors must also keep up with trend by automating the processes of preparation and issuance of deed of survey plans."

On digital mapping, Ashafa said that the introduction of the enterprise G.I.S. had reached advance stage. " By the time the project is completed, the Lagos Mega City status will be next door to us because the entire area of the state (urban and rural) will be evenly developed and the provision of social amenities like roads, water resources, health care system etcetera for the benefit of all and sundry will be fastened. All these cannot be achieved without the input of the competent professionals called "Land Surveyors" sitting before me today."

According to him, lack of access to credit was known as a major cause of poverty in our economy, which has made many particularly in the informal sector of the economy made of artisans, traders, owners of small businesses and industries were said to lack collateral, adding that the truth was that many of these people own flats and small units of accommodation purchased from government organisations like the Lagos state Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Lagos State Building and Investment company (LBIC) and the Ministry of Housing.

The state official said that the state governor is in the process of issuing title documents to thousands of Lagosians in this category, a feat made possible by land surveyors, firstly through production of survey plans of the affected government estates and thereafter deed of survey plans for the individual buildings.

On his part, the new chairman, Solesi, who pledged to serve the institution with more vigour, said all major projects would be continued with more energy. Two of the projects, according to him, are the development of their secretariat building and the pursuit of the processes that would lead to the acquisition of the space in front of the secretariat for the use in line with the government's land use plan for the span.

Also sworn in along Solesi are Vice Chairman, Adeleke O., Secretary, P.A. Faleti; Treasurer, Femi Adesomi; Financial Secretary, Mrs. Oluwajuyitan and Publicity Secretary, Lanre Jimoh. Others are Assistant Secretary, Alabi; Internal Auditor, Mrs. Gbadamosi S.M.; Ex-official, E.A. Ogunbayo and Council Representative, Olumide Adewebi.