Redevelop Abandoned Assets To Increase IGR, Pay Accrued Compensation - NIESV tells government

By Shola Aderinto 

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Osun State branch, have called on the state government to revisit and redevelop abandoned assets in order boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

This is as the NIESV association who added that partnership with both foreign and local investments will also bring more fortune to Osun state, also asked the government to pay road compensation money accrued to affected people in Osun state.

The submission was made by the Chairman, Osun state Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV, ESV Adekunle Adedoye M.Tech, ANIVS, RSV, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Bashir Tokunbo Salam at his office during the week.

According to ESV Adedoye, “We are blessed in this state and there are lots of assets that are abandoned, and in order to boost our IGR we need to resuscitate the assets. If we take a look at the Cocoa Production Industry (CPI), it is a good business and for a very long time it hasn't been functional, also the Drug Industry, as well as the Garri processing machine and other assets, all in Osun state are also there and needs to be revisited with a view to bring life to them, and we (the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV) can assist you (the government), since it is our area, as we can do a revalue of the assets, and through it, you can attract foreign and local investors."

“Also, the investors coming into the state will need Certificate of Occupancy C-of-O, and most are not signed as at when due, and accessing loan at banks demands having collateral and without C-of-O you cannot tender your land.

"We however plead that you use your good office to talk to the Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to sign at least 25 C-of-O per week and that's 100 in a month and 1200 in a year, which will boost the economy of the state and banks will be able to give out loans to potential clients,” he said."

Highlighting that there are many profitable based programs that the Osun NIESV can develop the state, ESV Adedoye urged the Commissioner of Special Duties to mediate with the government on NIESV duties, using the platform to generate and improve the Internally generated revenue IGR of Osun state.

The Estate Surveyors and Valuers, used the courtesy visit to plead to the government to pay up asset compensations for enumeration and evaluation of roads, done since year 2013, which is yet to be paid till date, where properties were destroyed to pave way for road construction.

The Osun NIESV professional body led by ESV Adekunle Adedoye M.Tech, ANIVS, RSV, promised partnership with the state government for the success and growth of the state.

In his response, the Commissioner for Special Duty, Hon Bashir Tokunbo Salam, who lauded the association, promised that the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke will operate a smooth land administration system, and he assured a good partnership with the association, stated the readiness to welcome ideas to assist the government.

Speaking on asset compensation, the commissioner of special duties, who asked the Permanent Secretary for details of the asset compensation issue,  assured that the present administration will not neglect the issue of compensation. He added that the government not paying means land encroachment if the compensation is not made, and he promised that steps will taken to pay attention to compensations.

He said, “we cannot obtain land from people and not compensate them for taking over their property."

Speaking further, he disclosed that a committee would be put in place for the C-of-O matters, so that the government would not wrongly approve any C-of-O, this would avoid any aftermath litigations, Commissioner B.T Salam stated.

The Commissioner, who applauded the Osun state Chapter of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV, also commended the Permanent Secretary of special duties, Mr Oyedeji for discharging his duties well.

Others at the courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Special Duties Dr B.T Salam include: ESV Sola Jubril Adebiyi - Vice Chairman, ESV Sade Salami- Hon Treasurer, ESV Damilare Olabiyi- Ex-officio, ESV Sikiru Aremu Adewuyi fnivs, ESV Hon Johnson Adegboyega Ojo, ESV Rasaq Akinniyi, Hon Kehinde Adepoju, Mr Tajudeen Ojo and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works Engr Bello.