NIESV thumps up govt renewal policy
By Ada Omukpai
The Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Rivers State Chapter has commended the State Government on its effort in adopting urban renewal in the state.
The chairman, Sir Mark .N. Nemieboka stated this in his welcome address at a Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) seminar under the theme; ''Urban Renewal and Property Values, which was held last Thursday at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt.
He said urban renewal and property values was informed by the current actions of the government in upgrading the city of Port Harcourt, noting that as professionals in the built environment, they were all acquainted with the benefits of urban renewal which would improve living environments, provide better housing and more hygienic living conditions.
“In Rivers State, government is adopting all the three tools of urban renewal such as conservation, rehabilitation and clearance therefore our experience in the state was not going to be different'', the chairman said.
He said surveyors and valuers were key players in any urban renewal scheme and gave kudos to the state governor for his urban renewal developmental strides and for making the NIESV a partner in the scheme.
In a keynote address by the chairman of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority Board, Chief F.N Alabraba, who was represented by the secretary, Dr Opusunju said the Rivers Statae government was making effort to restore the state, regretting that the present state of Port Harcourt was poor due to over population.
The chairman recalled how Port Harcourt in the years past used to be a model with beautiful landscape, although no serious steps were put in place not until this present administration came in.
He said the Greater Port Harcourt City would beautify the state by meeting its challenges to enable urban setting to be achieved.
Governor Rotimi Chuibike Amaechi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Urban Development, Hon Osima Ginah said urban renewal and payment of compensation could only be achieved with the effort of NIESV, noting that government was taken steps to ensure proper identifications before payment.
Governor Amaechi said his administration has taken time to follow due process in the demolition exercise and in most cases paid consumer rate which was not restricted to the land use act.
He said his administration runs an open-door policy and if anyone was not allowed to see a commissioner, such a commissioner could be petitioned to the state government.
In a lecture titled The Effect of Urban Renewal on Property Values presented by Gab Ofoma, stated that the task of creating ideal urban homes remains with the people and that only a drastic and positive move can stop the imminent decay.
He called on professionals of the environment to join hands in one body to re-establish discipline in all branches of the profession.
In a second lecture titled The Compensation Implications of Nigerians Urban Renewal Schemes by I.U Kalu, stated that urban renewal was a necessary environmental bitter pill that results to better living environment, efficient transportation system, planned land use that results to highest and best use.
Mr Kalu said the urban renewal programme cannot be executed without compulsory land acquisition law, noting that urban renewal involves land acquisition, demolition of houses, structures and expansion of streets.
In the last lecture titled compensation and the provision of law delivered by Hon O.C.J Okocha, stated that government was obliged under the law to pay compensation for any land acquired for the purposes of its renewal programmes, adding that, government may in the alternative offer land for re-settlement to persons displayed by such land acquisition.
O.C.J urged NIESV to always cross check the Constitution and laws of the country especially as they relate to their practice.
The Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) 2009 also witnessed the presentation of award of honour to Governor Rotimi Chuibike Amaechi and three past FNIVS branch chairmen namely Gab Ofoma, Elder Micheal Abiola Ajilieye and Mr Victor A. Akujuru.
