Surveyors Seek Partnership On Mortgage

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), has urged the Rivers State Government to partner with the private sector to develop an effective mortage system that can guarantee accelerated housing development in the state.

Chairman of NIESV, Rivers State branch, Emma Wike, who made this known in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that housing development was a capital intensive project, and that access to fund is a problem.

He said that government had not been able to provide an effective mortgage system that could  guarantee access to funds for housing development, adding that the scenario had made it very difficult for people to own houses,particularly among those working in the public sector, who form the bulk of the working class in the state.

Wike said “until there is good mortgage system, the issue of housing provision will continue to have problems. Government should provide the enabling environment for private investors to come in and operate.”

The housing problem generally he said was a national one, but that the effect was more in some states, adding that cost of housing would come down when government provides the amenities and facilities and that the major problem in Rivers State was that government has not really paid adequate attention to housing.

The NIESV boss, however, posited that the best thing that government could do to help the people, particularly public servants was to provide a good mortgage system where they could have access to funds for their housing on an agreed repayment pattern.

On the focus of the institution in the present dispensation under his leadership, Mr. Wike, explained that he was determined to improve on what they had already achieved as well as mobilised his members for greater achievements.

He said the present leadership of the institute would this time focus on students, members who according to him, would lead the body in future, stressing that they would work to improve on their relationship with government and other groups/organisations.

According to him, they would ensure that government recognised the contribution of estate surveyors and valuers and as well appreciate efforts of members in that regard.

Corlins Walter