Plateau Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors (NIESV) has pledged its support for the current leadership of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB)for the purpose of growth of the industry.
The group made their allegiance known during a courtesy visit organised by its leadership to the General Manager of JMDB Arch Hart Bankat on Thursday in Jos.
Mr Emmanuel Solomon, Chairman of NIESV in Plateau while noting that there’s need for sanity in the development sector of the state said the group felt the need to pledge its support to the board so as to make tangible impact in the development sector of the state.
“JMDB is a development control board, and we are in the development industry, the essence of our visit to JMDB is to foster the existing relationship and pay a courtesy visit to the newly appointed General Manager of the board.
“The board is saddled with the responsibility of controlling buildings and other infrastructural developments on the plateau, we as practitioners within the building environment our services are required by default.
“So we are here to let the board know that we are ready to collaborate with them and to strengthen our existing relationship, and to also prove to the board that we can work with them at a professional level” he said.
Solomon urged government to continue to use the right professionals for the right Job, seeing as the current GM is an architect spearheading the building sector.
“I want to urge government to continue to put the right persons for the right jobs, putting square peg like the general manager into square holes; The general manager is an architect and this is a development control board.
“So having an architect spearheading the ship will enable the government to get the required revenue and to ensure that government deliver on their mandate” he said.
Earlier Mr Kingsley Odeh former Chairman and Elder of NIESV, highlighted some of the issues of concern to the professional body to include: improper property ratings, encroachments, Illegal garages and street trading among others.
He urged the board to go back to the laws setting it up and ensure that they start enforcement of those laws and also revive the Greater Jos Master Plan.
Responding, Mr Hart Bankat, General Manager of JMDB while commending the group for the visit, assured them that Government has all their concerns in view and work had commenced on some of the highlighted issues already.
He further reiterated on the boards intent to collaborate with all relevant professional bodies to move the sector and the State forward.
“I sincerely want to appreciate your team for this visit, I want to assure you that government is already working on some of the concerns you have raised.
“For trailer parks, four points have been highlighted, Hawan kibo, Maraban Jemaa, Bauchi road, Zaria road to make sure every exit coming into and out of the state is taken care of.
“For the greater Jos master plan, that is my executive mandate and the reason why I was brought here is to implement it; That is why it is the only thing hanging on my wall, we are committed to it.
“And by the special grace of God we will get all the necessary support we need from government to do it, because if we don’t put these things right, then we cannot set legacies and anybody can come tomorrow and change it.
“But while we are here, let’s make it work. Let the world see that synergy can actually work” he said.
