…As Dr. Achigbu Harps On Standards
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The members of the Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), have called on the public to embrace the services of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in order to reap the huge financial and economic benefits from their moveable and non-moveable assets. The group also cautioned against engaging non professionals in assets management and evaluation to avoid devastating consequences.
The advocacy was the outcome of the group’s commemoration of the 2024 International Valuation Day with the theme: “Importance of Assets Valuation in Financial Stability.” The series of events, including a visit to the Okwu Uratta Orphanage that began on the 5th through to the grand finale on the 7th of May, witnessed Imo State Estate Surveyors and Valuers also taking to the streets of Owerri on sensitization before concluding at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri where they interacted with Dr. Kingsley Achigbu led management team.
In her address, the Imo State NIESV Chairman, ESV Grace Ekwuribe, described the functions of Estate Surveyors and Valuers to include placement of values on assets both moveable and non- moveable as prescribed by law. She added that such responsibility of determining the economic worth of assets covers purchase and sale of properties, mortgage, visa application, merger and acquisition, property litigation claims, infrastructural development and business expansion and finance among others for private and public purposes.
ESV Ekwuribe, disclosed that they were in the hospital to sensitize the workers on the need for assets valuation and sustainable investment, adding that the exercise became necessary for the hospital with large assets base. She added that as facility managers, the services of the members of her group would be important in the management and maintenance of the teaching hospital’s assets, and also for insurance and auditing purposes.
Accompanied by the Vice-Chairman, ESV Alexander Izunobi and others, ESV Ekwuribe used the opportunity and solicited for the establishment of an estate department in the hospital and for the employment of their members. ESV decried the activities of quacks without requisite training and legal backing in assets management and evaluation and seized the opportunity to urge the hospital and the public against engaging them for their good.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director of FTH, Owerri, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, while felicitating with the group over the event, noted the importance of the estate surveying and valuing profession in the society. He hailed the visit of the Estate Surveyors to the hospital and emphasized its strategic importance towards the wellbeing of the hospital. He decried the activities of impostors and quacks in the profession, but encouraged Estate Surveyors in the state to maintain ethics and standards.
Dr. Achigbu, who was accompanied by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Dr. Denning Chukwumam and the Director of Administration, Mr. Kelechi Otuneme, stressed the need for professional advice in management of assets, while assuring of partnership with the group, including providing job opportunities for their members. He encouraged them to further the sensitization, and urged them to seek collaborations with government.
In his contribution, ESV Umunnakwe Nwaiwu, said that the hospital with large assets and liabilities needed efficient and professional management by Estate Surveyors and Valuers to guard against depreciation and decay. He posited that buildings, hospital equipments and vehicles over a time depreciate in value and even go obsolete, stressing the need for the services of their members and the creation of Sinking Fund to handle the challenges.
