Connect with us

General

FG Tasks ESVARBON on Effective, Affordable Housing Operations

Published

on

ESVARBON

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has tasked the newly inaugurated Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) to carry out effective and affordable housing operations that help alleviate the issue in the country.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed this on Tuesday while inaugurating the 22-member professional body in Abuja.

He said that it was necessary due to the expiration of terms of several of the board members, which has led to a shortage of active members.

He said that the board had been unable to meet the quorum of 11 members required by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Act.

According to him, although a new chairman was appointed after the former chairman’s term ended on March 17, the terms of 15 other members have also expired, further contributing to its to function effectively.

“There are five appointees from five states, four from four institutions, three on the minister’s representation, and two from the Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, while the nomination from Oyo State is being awaited.

“It is important to note that the board is an essential organ charged with the duty of overseeing the profession of estate surveying and valuation in Nigeria.

“President Bola Tinubu has mandated the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to transform the housing sector for the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Therefore, all agencies, institutions, and parastatals under the ministry must be alive to their responsibilities and work hard towards achieving the objectives for which they were set up,’’ he said.

Mr Dangiwa also said that estate surveyors and valuers played an important role in the successful delivery of affordable housing across Nigeria.

He noted that their professional expertise ensured that land and property valuations were accurate and reflected fair market values crucial for facilitating cost-effective housing solutions.

“Furthermore, estate surveyors contribute significantly to urban planning and development.

“They help to ensure that housing projects are well-structured, financially viable, and sustainable. By working closely with developers, they help to optimise resources, making housing more affordable for Nigerians.

“In addition to their role in housing delivery, estate surveyors are critical in preventing building collapses, which this ministry aims to address.

“They do that by ensuring that property inspections and assessments are thorough and in accordance with professional standards,’’ he said.

The minister urged the ESVARBON board to focus on its mandates which include determining who qualifies as estate surveyors and valuers.

He said that the mandate also included establishing the required standards of knowledge and skill for those seeking registration, and maintaining a register of qualified persons and publishing the list periodically.

He added that ESVARBON was tasked with regulating and controlling the practice of estate surveying and valuation, and performing other functions as conferred by the Act.

He, therefore, charged the board to promote excellence in estate surveying and valuation, uphold the integrity of the profession, foster collaboration and knowledge sharing and advance the interests of members and the public.

On his part, the chairman of the board, Mr Dosu Fatokun, said that with its reconstitution, ESVARBON would continue its vital role of regulating and controlling the practice of the profession to ensure integrity, professionalism and transparency.

“I assure the minister that under my watch, ESVARBON will live up to the expectation of the Federal Government and the public in general,’’ he said.

He said the board would strengthen its regulatory framework, promote innovation, technology and professionalism, folster collaboration, and contribute to the renewed hope housing agenda.

He requested that members of the board should be appointed as facility managers to professionally handle the post-development issues relating to housing estates and cities.

“These include disposal by sale, lease or balloting as well as establishing a facility management model for the new stock of infrastructure.

“A usual derogatory refrain is that Nigeria lacks maintenance culture. The nation’s sizeable public infrastructure is under the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

“The board offers to partner with the ministry and other built environment professionals to fashion out appropriate maintenance model to improve our infrastructure repairs and upkeep culture in the country.’’

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

General

Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

Published

on

Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

Continue Reading

General

Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

Published

on

rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Continue Reading

General

Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

Published

on

energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

Continue Reading

Trending