Forum tasks estate operators, Govt on infrastructural development
Collaboration
By Lilian Chukwu
Ibadan, March 21, 2018 (NAN) Dr Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi, National President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), on Wednesday called for improvements in infrastructural development in the country, to boost the living standards.
Patunola-Ajayi made the call in his opening remarks at the ongoing 48th Annual Conference of the Institution in Ibadan.
He said this could be achieved through collective efforts and collaboration among governments, real estate operators, the private sector and other stakeholders in the country.
The theme of the conference was: `Real Estate and Infrastructure as Drivers of National Economic Development’.
He said that for the economy to be sustained, the infrastructural development of the country must be put in order.
According to him, real estate developers have vital roles in the infrastructure development of a country, hence, he enjoined operators in industry to seize the opportunity of the conference to grow the profession.
“We must make real estate and infrastructural development a priority in the development of our economy.
“Real estate and infrastructure have been confirmed as the main drivers of the economy of many developed nations, with significant multiplier effects that catalyze growth in consumption, employment, investment and tourism.
“Let us ultilise the conference to learn, network and collaborate to improve in our various areas of practice and equally reposition the real estate profession,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Wike, the 2nd Vice President of NIESV, said that the current infrastructural development rate in Nigeria was appalling and suffers in quantitative and qualitative dimensions.
Wike said that the nation’s infrastructure was in the state of decay, saying that little had been achieved over the years, despite the advocacy for better infrastructural facilities for the citizenry.
According to him, deficiency in infrastructural development is one of the key issues that will constrain the Nigerian economy from been among the top 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, as projected by the previous administration.
“Nigeria has the largest road network in West Africa, with a total coverage of about 193,000km, which is facing rapid dilapidation due to poor management and maintenance.
“This challenge has greatly hindered economic activities in the country, thereby adversely affecting economic growth and national development,” Wike said.
Mr Earnest Grunewald, Managing Partner, Eskom Surveying Company of South Africa, said that infrastructural development ought to support the integration of African economies.
Grunewald said infrastructural development was intended to transform the economic landscape of a country, create significant number of new jobs and strengthen the delivery of basic services to the people.
According to him, real estate developers have the duty to advise governments, community representatives and environment agencies on matters connected with the resettlement of persons.
The ongoing 48th annual conference of the NIESV opened in Ibadan on Tuesday, to round-off on Friday. (NAN)
LUC/PIO/PIO
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)