Kogi NIESV Seeks Early Engagement of Valuers in Government Projects
The Kogi State Branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has urged governments at all levels to engage registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers from the earliest stages of project planning to minimise delays, disputes and cost overruns.
The Chairman of the NIESV, Kogi State Branch, ESV John Oluwayinka Eniwaiye, made the call on Monday at a press briefing to formally commence the 2026 Estate Valuers Week at the Confluence Motel Hall, opposite St. Luke UBE, Adankolo, Lokoja.
Speaking on the theme, “Governance in Value, Growth in Synergy,” Eniwaiye said the week-long programme was designed to reposition the role of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the development of Kogi State.
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He said good governance must create value, while properly measured and managed value remains a key driver of sustainable growth.
According to him, Kogi State is at a critical stage of development, with vast land resources suitable for agriculture and industry, urban centres requiring renewal, and infrastructure projects demanding proper planning, funding and asset management.
He, however, noted that policies alone could not deliver the desired development outcomes, stressing the need for professionals to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
“Practice must meet policy,” he said, adding that Estate Surveyors and Valuers were professionally positioned to provide the necessary support through data, valuation, feasibility studies and asset management expertise.
Eniwaiye announced a series of activities for the week, including public enlightenment, professional training for members and engagements with government agencies.
He said a strategic visit to the Director-General of the Bureau of Lands and the Maigari of Lokoja would take place on Tuesday, while Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) and an award ceremony would be held on Thursday.
He added that a special Jumat prayer would be held at the Government House Mosque on Friday, while aerobic exercises and a novelty football match would take place on Saturday. A special prayer and thanksgiving service would be held at the Government House Chapel on Sunday.
The NIESV chairman also outlined the responsibilities of various stakeholders in ensuring effective land governance and sustainable development in the state.
He urged the government to go beyond approving projects by ensuring that registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers were involved from the inception of projects, saying such involvement would promote transparency and strengthen public confidence.
He called on Estate Surveyors and Valuers to continue providing evidence-based professional advice on land use, taxation, acquisition and feasibility studies.
Developers and investors, he said, should operate within approved plans and rely on professional valuations to reduce risks, while traditional institutions and communities should support proper land documentation and dispute-resolution mechanisms.
The general public, he added, should be adequately informed about their rights and obligations regarding land ownership and management, stressing that land should be viewed not only as a form of heritage but also as a potential source of wealth creation.
A major highlight of the briefing was the NIESV’s proposal for the establishment of a **Kogi State Development Advisory Forum on Land and Assets**.
The institution also called for the inclusion of registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers on the governing boards of all land-related ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the state.
Eniwaiye explained that the proposed forum would meet quarterly and bring together representatives of government, NIESV, developers and communities to review policies, align development projects with professional standards and monitor implementation for greater accountability.
He concluded by urging the government to engage professionals at the early stages of projects to reduce waste, while calling on members of NIESV to uphold the institution’s watchword of **“Honesty and Devotion.”**
He also appealed to all stakeholders to partner with the institution in promoting effective land governance and building a stronger and more prosperous Kogi State.
The NIESV chairman invited members of the media to cover the activities lined up for the week and encouraged stakeholders to participate actively in discussions on land governance and development in the state.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper, September 15, 2026
