Surveyors under the auspices of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Imo State chapter, have identified quackery as a big challenge to land transactions, especially in Imo State.
They pointed out that advocacy and awareness, through annual seminars for continued professional development, had always been engaged so that quackery is reduced or stamped out.
These points were stressed during the annual general meeting and inauguration of new executive committee of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Imo State chapter, held at the Immaculate Hotel, Owerri, Imo State Thursday.
Speaking, former Imo State Commissioner for Lands Sir Bon Unachukwu and Barr Hugan Achigbu, regretted that the profession has a lot of problems with quackery, in terms of selling and buying of lands, especially in Imo State. “We are happy that the institution is waxing strong, despite the quackery challenges. Very soon we would be able to wipe out this menace with the help of government”.
Unachukwu and Achigbu added that quackery has caused some professionals to lose their jobs in the State, advising people to be careful of agents they deal with in terms of land analysis and transactions, in order to have values for their money.
While ESV Uwalaka, Paulson Chibuike, Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, who works with the Ministry of Lands, Imo State, noted that they are bent to fighting quackery to standstill.
Uwalaka mentioned that the Imo State branch of the institution has been working assiduously to achieve success, promising that he has come to work in order to add value to the profession
He maintained that he would always support the Chairman because she had capacity in order to lift the Institution.
Interacting with journalists immediately after the inaugural meeting, newly elected Chairman of the association, ESV Grace Uloaku Ekweribe, affirmed that “quacks were in the profession and quackery has been a huge challenge the institution. We are qualified to do evaluation of lands according to Imo State law.
Ekweribe, who is the first elected female Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Imo State chapter, promised to serve the profession well with the best of her ability to add more value to land evaluation and transaction in Imo State.
Noting that her tenure is two years, Ekweribe reminded that the new executive committee and old ones were inaugurated and celebrated.
According to her, “although I was elected unopposed because the Estate men saw capacity and willingness to serve in me. We are focused in advocating enlightening people about who are real estate surveyors with a view to flushing out quackery”.
Ekweribe thanked government appointees particularly, Commissioner for Lands, Barr Enyinnaya Onuegbu and other dignitaries for gracing the memorable occasion.
