Abstract

This project on the role of estate surveyors  and valuers in the development of property a case study of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area Anambra state is bringing to focus the role this professionals can play in the course of the topic in question in our everyday endeavours for utilization and management of our resources base on these efficient and best use of these resources for self reliance and economic welfare. It is amazing to note that many people in different sectors of our economy mainly in rural development up till this twenty one (21st) century, do not know whom a valuer is nor his role in the course of rural development. It is quite clear to note also that may people who are aware of their existence regarded them (the estate surveyors and valuers) as mere ent collectors. This impression should be corrected and the role of men of the noble profession, must be sought for their expert knowledge utilized for the overhandling of our nations rural developments, plan and policies. Today it is quite unfortunate that Nigeria which was once one of the richest third world country as an earlier said has fallen from grace to grass after her glorious days of the ever said oil-boom of the seventies, it has now become a debtor nation, this non consultation of the various professional bodies in management and use of our natural and man made resources especially land and other related real estate in different fields of our rural development has posed a lot of estate management and social problems today. The aim of putting up my write up is to put into light what this discipline “Estate Management” is saying about and their role in both rural and urban development.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Estate management as a discipline and a noble profession especially in a developing country like Nigeria is progressively becoming significant. Governments, groups, corporate bodies and even private concerns action have taken a new dimension in the modern world as a result of rising economic trend especially in this period of global economic recession (Femi, 2015).

Now the services of the experts and professionals abounding our labour force are being sought for, and their advice being utilized. A critical look and study of the various hand use problems.

(LAND USE ACT) of 1978 in this country reveals that experts and professionals in the field of estate management and other related professions were not consulted for proper advice by the policy makers and implementations before making decisions (Onnaedo,2011). Today it is quite unfortunate that Nigeria which was once one of the richest third world country as an earlier said has fallen from grace to grass after her glorious days of the ever said oil-boom of the seventies. The nation has now become a debtor nation.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA (EKWULOBIA)

This is an urban area made up of nine sub-urban villages, namely: Umuchiana, Agba, Ula, Okpo, Eziagulu, Nkono, Abogwune, Ihuokpala and Umunchi.

It is located 25.778km from Awka, 44km from Onitsha (East) and 15.3kilometer east from Aka-Okwa which shows that the town is located at the center surrounded by various sub-urban towns like Agulu-ezechukwu, Isuofia, Ikenga, from North side of Oko, Nnanka,. Then viewing from the South is Ezinifite and Mkpologwu. Ekwulobia, since its creation, it has been experiencing a laudable development all around as regards to infrastructural development such as construction and rehabilitation of new and dilapidated roads, Ekwulobia-Isuofia-Nnobi road, (Ekwulobia-Uga, Agulu-Awka road) etc, the provision of pipe born water and establishment of more. Ekwulobia the largest city in Aguata, is expanding rapidly to a population of aout five hundred thousand (5000,000) people exclusing non indigene. The land mark area covers about one hundred square meter above main sea level, the land slopes gently towards east into rally of Iyiagu, Okpalayanwu and Ofalu streams which runs down from great height causing great erosion. The people were mainly villagers and predominantly farmers.

Ekwulobia is the local government headquarters of Aguata local government area. The very few infrastructural facilities in existence, were the few primary and secondary schools, general hospital, situated with few private ones, the commercial centre area, old Eke market and New Eke market which functions every four days, Hotels, banks, like Access bank, first bank, Zenith bank FCMB etc all revolves round the park (round about).

Following the rapid population growth and Emigration rate exluded by advancement in Economic activities recently at Ekwulobia and its environs and neighbourhood, the town has being elevated into an urban status which now calls for government’s attention in infrastructural development. The advancement in economic activities such as re-structuring of parks and re-development of high risk lock-up shops, more banks, filling stations, adequacy of electric power facilities, installation of Nitell pole as been done in some other urban areas like Enugu, Nnewi, Onitsha etc. the ever increasing population growth of students of federal polytechnic Oko when results to increasing demand for more residential accommodations tends to increase the value of real properties at Ekwulobia.

1.2 Statement of the problem

No brilliant discussion on housing without taking into consideration the word Property development. Costello and Preller (2010) maintained that there exists large number of literature related to the process of property development. What then is the property development process? One of the most celebrated and widely quoted authors concerning real estate development is James Graaskamp who submitted that real estate simply connote "space delineated by man, relative to fixed geography, intended to contain an activity for a specific period of time". Real estate has, in addition to the three dimensions of space (length, width and height), a fourth dimension of time. The creation and management of space-time-units is defined as real estate development, a complex and collective process involving various stakeholders (Graaskamp, In Squirrel, 2007). Graaskamp (2007) argued that development has considerable and nearly irreversible impacts on land and communities. He emphasized consistently the need for a social component to real estate development, arguing that the rights of private and public property owners are inextricably linked. Estate Surveyors and valuers have been relegated to the background in project management as their roles have taken over by other professionals in the building team and they have so far accepted this relegation to the detriment of the profession (Ogozie, 2003) The input of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the type of design or development that will suit a particular location is necessary to increase the sales or rentable value of a building after construction. They should be involved at the early stage of building development process especially on commercial and speculative building construction projects, advising on current consumer trends, market demands and timing of entrance of the project into the market. The main task of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers on a building development project is to provide estimates for rental and capital value as well as to identify potential buyers and/or occupiers and to organize and implement the disposal of the development (Ferguson, 2003). Hence, the study looks into the role of estate surveyors and valuers in rural development

1.3 Objective of the study

The primary objective of the study is to examine the role of estate surveyors and valuers in rural development. The specific objectives is as follows:

i. To assess the level of involvement of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in building construction project.

ii. To examining the level of building project supervised by Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and those projects where their service are not involved.

iii.To assess the competence of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in project management function of a building project.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

i. What is the level of involvement of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in building construction project?

ii. What is the level of building project supervised by Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and those projects where their service are not involved?

iii.Does estate surveyors and Valuers have competence in project management function of a building project?

1.5 Significance of the study

The study is significant to government and surveyors as it will expose the role which estate surveyors play in the development of rural communities.

The study is significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study will assess the level of involvement of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in building construction project. The study will also examining the level of building project supervised by Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and those projects where their service are not involved. Lastly,the study will assess the competence of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in project management function of a building project. Hence, the study is delimited to Ekwulobia, Enugu State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

As a matter of fact a study of this nature cannot be conducted without experiencing some forms of hiccups sequel to this the study is confirmed to the very organization specified in the case study-power holding company of Nigeria Okpara Avenue Enugu Zonal Headquarters some of the constraints which the researcher considers pertinent to mention are:
1. Financial Constraint: A research work of this nature demands much money for its successful completion. A lot of money is needed for the purchase of the necessary materials to be used transportation etc. lack of finance posed a great problem to the researcher in the course of conducting this research.
2. Unco-operative attitude of the respondents: The uncooperative attitude of some respondents who either refused to be open to questions directed to them or felt resultant to provide the needed information for the research work also contributed in no small way to the difficulties encountered by the researcher.
3. Paucity of comprehensive literature: This also contributed to the problems encountered by the researcher. Most of the books that were available to the researcher in most instances did not give satisfactory information on the subject matter/research topic.
4. Time: As a matter of fact time factor was never or friend to the researcher the time allowed for the research work was quite tight and as such it almost affected the quality of the research work in a negative way.

1.8 Definition of terms

Estate suyveyor:  a professional trained in the art and science of estate management to direct and supervise an interest in landed properties with the sole aim of obtaining optimum returns for the owners of such properties has an important role to play in the wellbeing of people and overall development

Rural development: the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas.

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